Elderly applaud Samia Eye Clinic for improving health service

Muheza. Elderly people from the Tanga region have praised the ongoing eye care initiative, which has rescued some of them from the long-stayed vision problems.

They also called on the government to further enhance healthcare services in an attempt to reach those with vision problems in particular from rural areas.

Their comments came during the opening of the Mama Samia Eye Clinic, a three-day event in Muheza district funded by the non-governmental organisation Mo Dewji Foundation.

Speaking at the event at the weekend, the elders expressed their satisfaction with the specialised eye clinics, noting that the clinics have provided much-needed treatment swiftly and at no cost.

“I am very happy to see a doctor quickly and receive all necessary services without any cost.

We should commend the government for this,” said Muheza resident Mariam Wandi, 90.

She had been hesitant to seek medical attention, fearing the expense, but the free services offered by the clinic encouraged her to come forward, she said.

“I was afraid to go to the hospital because of the cost, but when I heard about the free services, I decided to come, and I am grateful for the treatment,” she added.

Fatuma Mohamed, 78, from Tanga, said after two years of unsuccessful hospital visits, she was finally able to receive the treatment at the clinic.

“I spent Sh7,000 on transportation and received the care I needed,” she said, urging the government to ensure consistent and quality services for the elderly.

Tanga Regional Commissioner Batilda Buriani reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services, adding that the region had received Sh97.9 billion for the construction and renovation of hospitals, health centres and dispensaries.

“We have built 72 dispensaries, more than 23 health centres, six new hospitals and renovated three district hospitals,” she said.

The coordinator of eye care services at the Mo Dewji Foundation, Ms Amina Ramadhan, reported that 1,800 people with eye problems were registered on the first day of the clinic, with the number expected to reach 2,000 by the end of the three-day event.

She noted that Muheza camp was the seventh held this year, with a total of 26,000 people having received eye care services across various camps.

According to her, some 1,800 cataract surgeries have been performed in the camps.