Joy As 250 Residents of Siaya Receive Free Spectacles on World Eyesight Day

Dr. K’Onyango addressing residents of Boro on Friday 11 October, 2024. Photo: Siaya County Government Directorate of Communication.

The exercise which targeted the less privileged with poor eye vision in the region saw a turnout of more than 500 residents.

The occasion was graced by Health Executive Martin K’Onyango who emphasized the need for proper eye-care in order to keep free from disease and afflictions.

The 250 Boro residents aged from 70 to 90 years have now improved their vision after receiving spectacles for the first time at no cost through the Department of Health and the Fred Hollow Foundation.

Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the noble initiative by County Government of Siaya noting that the cost of spectacles from private opthalmologists is quite prohibitive.

66-year-old Josephine Osoro, who was one of the recipients said it feels good to see clearly after a long time and thanked the County Government for restoring her gift of vision.

“I have suffered poor eyesight for years and could not read phone messages but today have regained my vision,” said Osoro adding that with the spectacles she will, indeed, be able to read the Bible.

She added that going forward, she will no longer seek assistance from anybody to read her Mpesa messages.

Another resident, Florence Akinyi (57), said, “Wow, this is wonderful, I can see perfectly, and I must say thank you to Governor Orengo and health partners for spearheading this noble mission.”

In his part Dr. K’Onyango humbly said:

“This is part of the work of the Department of health and we will continue taking vital programs and services to the community.”

K’Onyango  also said that it, personally, warmed his heart when health initiatives carried out by the Orengo administration were transforming lives at the grassroots.

“When an elderly person tells me that they are seeing clearly for the first time, or people say they have never been able to afford spectacles and it prevents them from functioning optimally and now they can actually participate more fulsomely – it sincerely warms my heart,” said K’Onyango.

He added that the entire team feels very humbled to be able to provide crucial services.

“For some elderly ones, this is the first time that they’ve received a pair of spectacles in their life. So we’ve been seeing how this programme has been improving the quality of life for so many people,” the CECM added.

K’Onyango said “Siaya as a County with assistance of Australian Aid from Fred Hollows Foundation has made a significant contribution by improving access to optical health.

“Siaya is leading on eye care and we have earned the achievement following support of the Fred Hollows Foundation,” he said.

Through partnership the County Government is now operating eye clinics in Ambira, Ukwala, Madiany, Bondo and Yala Health Center facilities. The quality of eye care services has significantly improved throughout Siaya County.

“The facilities have quality eye care equipment and trained eye care staff that are able to diagnose, treat and perform surgeries including but not limited to cataracts,” said Mr. K’Onyango.

“The aim of today’s celebrations is to ensure all stakeholders; consumers, policy makers get to know the magnitude of the visual impairment associated with negative consequences and their roles in averting and reversing the trends,” said K’Onyango.

He urged the public to visit health facilities for screening, adding that early detection of visual eye problems can prevent visual loss.

“Clear vision support developmental milestones, learning and academic performance for the children, regular checkup prevents permanent vision damage and routine checkup encourages good life, long eye care habits passed down to children,”

Collins Denice Oduor, the Nyanza Representative of Essilor Luxottica Foundation–ONESIGHT, confirmed that his group had donated the spectacles that are now improving vision.

“We have today donated 250 spectacles that have benefitted Boro resident’s majority being the aged,” said Oduor.

“We have also distributed eye-protection for motorcyclists,” he added.

According to opthalmological services officer at Siaya County Referral Hospital, Dr Eric Omondi Omollo, they have now set their focus on tackling eye sight problems among children as the global theme for this year highlights.

“There are numerous eyesight problems affecting our children to the extent of forcing them to drop out of school,” said Omollo adding that on several occasions, priority is given to adults and today’s theme is a reminder that children need attention,too.

He urged residents to enroll their children on the newly launched Social Health Authority Scheme (SHA) so as to get adequate healthcare services including those related to eyesight services at affordable fee.

“Each pair of spectacles at public hospitals costs KES 6000 and this is too costly to some of the residents so SHA is the only remedy during such cases.”