Nakuru:Thousands of residents in Nakuru County, Kenya, will benefit from improved access to eye screening and treatment through a new programme focused on the early detection, referral, and follow-up of eye health issues. This initiative addresses the significant unmet need for eye health services in the region, where approximately 30 percent of the population is estimated to require care to prevent or manage vision loss.
According to Kenya News Agency, the programme is part of a Sh279 million four-year Memorandum of Understanding between the County Government of Nakuru and the Christian Blind Mission (CBM). It aims to enhance ear and eye health services for around 640,257 people. Supported by the Africa Gospel Church (AGC) Tenwek Hospital, the initiative targets early detection and treatment of sensory health conditions and includes efforts to reach learners in 1,302 schools across 11 sub-counties.
Nakuru County Eye Health Coordinator John Gitahi highlighted the challenges facing Kenya’s eye health services, including gaps in cataract surgery access, treatment for refractive errors, and the availability of specialist eye-health workers. The programme seeks to address these issues by expanding screening, referral, treatment, and follow-up services, particularly among drivers, communities, and schools.
The initiative also utilizes digital technology to support screening and referrals. Community health promoters can now use smartphones to screen individuals, record details, and send appointment reminders via SMS. This approach aims to detect eye problems early and improve follow-up care.
Gitahi emphasized the importance of early detection in reducing lifelong disability and stressed that the programme aligns with the World Health Organization’s push for integrated, people-centered eye care. The outreach activities provide eye examinations, medication, spectacles, and referrals for further assessment or specialized treatment, with the initial phase coinciding with World Sight Day on October 8.
The Vision Impact Project Scale-Up 2026-2029, implemented in Nakuru, Kakamega, and Mombasa counties, supports the renovation and strengthening of eye, ear, and hearing facilities, along with the development of healthcare workers’ technical capacity. This partnership aims to improve the identification and referral of individuals with sensory impairments.
Gitahi noted that the programme is expected to strengthen the link between specialized care and community-level screening, reducing delays in diagnosis and referral. It will also build healthcare workers’ technical capacity while improving infrastructure for sustained eye, ear, and hearing services. Residents are encouraged to undergo regular eye examinations to protect their sight and reduce the risk of avoidable vision loss.
