More than 1,000 residents of Mvita constituency received free eye care services during a medical camp spearheaded by Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri, bringing relief to patients who had endured untreated vision problems for years.
The free eye camp was organised by Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri in partnership with the Lions Club of Mombasa.
The one-day medical camp, held at Treasury Square Gardens, offered free cataract surgeries, essential medications, comprehensive eye check-ups, and reading glasses.
Speaker Khatri announced that similar exercises will be rolled out in the Nyali, Kisauni, Changamwe, Likoni, and Jomvu constituencies to ensure residents across Mombasa County have access to vital eye care.
Lions Club of Mombasa Pwani President Chirag Solanki revealed that over 700 patients had registered by midday, with more streaming in. He commended Speaker Khatri for sponsoring the camp.
“As Lions, we are doing all the screening and the cataract surgeries free of charge because of the Speaker,” said Solanki.
Khatri explained that the overwhelming turnout, far beyond the capacity of the four doctors on site, underlined the urgent need for such initiatives. Some patients even travelled overnight from as far as Taita-Taveta and Tana River counties to seek treatment.
“When we began this morning, 700 people had already registered. By afternoon, an additional 500 were waiting to be attended to. The doctors are stretched, but we will ensure that everyone gets treatment,” Khatri assured.
The Speaker noted that they had initially targeted 1,000 people; fortunately, his friends have pledged to support the initiative due to the high number of patients in need of eye checkups.
He thanked the Lion Club for offering affordable packages for the medical camps. The Speaker said they will focus more on children with eye problems to prevent vision-threatening conditions.
“Children are often overlooked in treatment, yet many suffer from eye problems that go unnoticed until adulthood,” Khatri said.
Among the beneficiaries was Mwanahamisi Komora, a retired teacher from Tana River, who was diagnosed with cataracts. After years of struggling with poor eyesight, she is now scheduled for surgery.
“I am grateful to the Speaker for sponsoring this noble initiative. I thought I would go blind, but now I have hope that I’ll be able to read and watch television again,” said Komora.
By Sadik Hassan
