Turkana: Turkana County Government has launched an Optical Workshop at Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH), marking a major milestone in strengthening access to specialized eyecare services in Turkana. The return of optical services at the facility, supported by the Fred Hollows Foundation, will ensure uninterrupted eye care, including diagnosis and correction of refractive errors through prescription glasses, significantly improving eye health outcomes for residents across the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation Services, Dr. Joseph Epem, emphasized that the workshop forms a key component of the hospital’s eye unit, designed to diagnose and correct refractive errors such as short-sightedness and long-sightedness. Dr. Epem highlighted that for the first time in Turkana, optical services will be offered at the LCRH, allowing patients to be diagnosed and receive glasses on-site, thus eliminating the need for travel to access such services.
The initiative is part of the County Government’s ongoing partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation to combat avoidable blindness in Turkana. Historically, the county has recorded high prevalence rates of avoidable blindness, primarily due to Trachoma and Cataracts. However, collaborative interventions have significantly reduced Trachoma prevalence from 52% in 2010 to below 5%.
The Optical Workshop is equipped with a variety of optical frames, including high-quality frameless glasses previously only available in major urban centers like Nairobi. This development means residents will no longer incur travel and logistical costs when seeking eye services outside the county. The initiative aligns with the Governor’s Nine-Point Development Agenda, particularly on universal health coverage, by bringing specialized services closer to the community.
Residents are encouraged to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access optical services affordably, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. The North Rift Regional Coordinator for the Fred Hollows Foundation, Ben K’ Olwa, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to enhancing eye health services in the region. He noted that the optical workshop, representing an investment of approximately KES 9 Million, has already generated about KES 307,000 in revenue, indicating its potential to sustain services at the hospital.
Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of avoidable blindness in Turkana stands at 6.2%, nearly double the national prevalence of 3.2% as per RAAB findings. Approximately 20,000 people in Turkana are living with varying degrees of blindness, a concern the foundation is addressing through its partnership with the county’s health department.
The Fred Hollows Foundation has committed KES 11 million for the Financial Year 2025/2026 to support additional eye health interventions in Turkana. Daniel Esimit, Director for Preventive and Promotive Health, commended the partnership and stressed the need to decentralize eye care services to enhance accessibility. He emphasized the importance of sustaining the investment to ensure long-term benefits for Turkana residents, with plans to expand services to sub-county hospitals and lower-level facilities.
The establishment of the Optical Workshop is expected to significantly reduce untreated refractive errors and enhance access to affordable eye care services for communities throughout the county.
