Hundreds of residents from Nandi East Sub-County turned up for a free medical check-up during the launch of Eldo Eye Hospital’s new branch in Nandi Hills, in an initiative aimed at improving access to specialized eye care and other health services.
The outreach attracted children, youth, and elderly residents seeking free eye screening and general medical services.
The event was held at the hospital’s new facility located on the third floor of Sireet Plaza in Nandi Hills Town.
Speaking during the launch, Eldo Eye Hospital Director Mark Cheruiyot said the expansion is part of the hospital’s strategy to bring quality and affordable healthcare closer to communities in Nandi County and neighbouring regions.
Cheruiyot said the hospital offers comprehensive services including eye examinations, cataract surgery, Phaco surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, low vision therapy and rehabilitation, optical services, pharmacy, laboratory, dental, theatre, nutrition, renal dialysis and general outpatient services.
He noted that the hospital, whose main branch is in Eldoret City, has grown steadily since its establishment in 2011 and continues to expand its services to meet the increasing demand for specialized healthcare.
“We are here today to launch our new facility in Nandi Hills to serve the community. Our team is committed to providing quality healthcare and ensuring patients receive timely treatment,” said Cheruiyot.
He revealed that the hospital plans to conduct regular medical outreach programmes targeting residents in remote areas who have limited access to eye care services.
“We are planning to work closely with chiefs and assistant chiefs to identify people with eye problems, especially those living in interior villages, so that they can receive treatment before their conditions worsen,” he said.
Cheruiyot announced that the hospital will provide free cataract surgeries over the next one year. He added that the programme will also cater to transport costs by ferrying cataract patients to the hospital and back home after treatment.
He said the initiative is intended to eliminate financial and transport barriers that prevent many patients from seeking specialized treatment.
According to the director, the new Nandi Hills branch will initially operate seven days a week from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., with plans to introduce 24-hour services as demand grows.
He further disclosed that the facility is accredited by the Social Health Authority (SHA), enabling registered members to access healthcare services through the national health insurance programme.
Cheruiyot urged residents who have not enrolled with SHA to register in order to benefit from affordable healthcare and avoid financial hardship during illness.
“The turnout today demonstrates the high demand for medical services in this area. We expect to serve more than 200 patients during this outreach. By midday, we had already attended to over 100 patients and identified 16 people with cataracts who have already been scheduled for free surgery,” he said.
He observed that early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions are essential in preventing avoidable blindness and improving the quality of life for patients.
Residents who attended the medical camp welcomed the opening of the new facility, saying it will reduce the distance and cost of travelling to Eldoret and other towns to seek specialised eye treatment.
They noted that many people, particularly older persons, have continued to live with untreated eye conditions due to lack of nearby specialized facilities, limited awareness and financial constraints.
The residents described the free medical camp as life-changing, saying it enabled many people to undergo eye examinations for the first time and receive professional medical advice.
They appealed to both public and private healthcare providers to organize more community outreach programmes to improve early detection and treatment of eye diseases and other chronic illnesses.
Officials from the Social Health Authority also used the event to register residents for SHA, encouraging more Kenyans to enroll and access affordable healthcare services.
By Ruth Mainye
