Dar es Salaam. More than 9,500 people received free medical services during a three-day health and eye screening camp in Dar es Salaam, with doctors identifying hundreds of cases requiring further treatment.
The outreach held at Mnazi Mmoja Grounds, organised by the Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamaat (KSIJ), Dar es Salaam, provided eye examinations, cancer screening, medical consultations, medicines and referrals for specialised care.
The camp was held as part of commemorations marking the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussein, at Karbala in present-day Iraq more than 1,400 years ago.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, KSIJ Dar es Salaam chairman Mohammedraza Dewji said the turnout exceeded expectations, with the programme attracting more beneficiaries than in previous years.
“The camp had two main components: educating the public about the life and legacy of Imam Hussein (AS), and providing free health screening, medication and eye surgery services,” he said.
Eye care was among the most sought-after services, with 3,970 people undergoing examinations.
Of those screened, 244 were identified as requiring further treatment, including patients with cataracts.
Mr Dewji said 127 patients had already undergone free eye surgery at Medwell Hospital in Kibaha, Coast Region.
Patients unable to travel to Kibaha because of distance will be given appointments for treatment at Temeke Charitable Hospital, which is operated by KSIJ Dar es Salaam, he said.
The camp also distributed 2,267 reading glasses and 1,813 prescription lenses, while about 3,500 people received medication and treatment for various eye conditions.
Possible cancer cases
The outreach also provided screening for cervical, breast and prostate cancers, alongside education on non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
A total of 427 women underwent cervical cancer screening, with 181 advised to undergo further tests.
Twelve women received treatment at the camp, while another 12 were identified as requiring further assessment for possible breast cancer-related conditions.
Among men who underwent prostate cancer screening, six were identified as requiring further medical assessment because of possible prostate-related conditions.
Mental health and social wellbeing education was also provided, reaching about 4,800 people.
In addition, the organisers worked with the national blood donation programme to collect 195 units of blood for hospitals facing shortages.
Doctors flag need for follow-up care
The camp’s chief medical officer, Dr Naushad Bandali, said eye problems and chronic non-communicable diseases were among the most common conditions identified during the outreach.
Medical teams conducted ultrasound examinations on 236 people, with 88 found to require long-term medical follow-up or major surgical intervention.
Dr Bandali said patients found to have masses or other conditions requiring further investigation would be referred to appropriate health facilities, including the Ebrahim Haji KSIJ Charitable Eye Centre.
He urged members of the public to undergo regular health checks and make use of screening opportunities provided through community outreach programmes.
“We urge members of the public to undergo regular health check-ups whenever opportunities such as this arise,” he said.
KSIJ camp coordinator Janmeel Kasam said the initiative was inspired by the teachings of Imam Hussein, which emphasise service to humanity.
“The three-day camp was a demonstration of compassion and service to the entire community, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender or social status,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Magomeni resident Mathayo Akida, said the eye screening helped identify an incorrect prescription in his previous glasses.
Mr Akida said he had been experiencing frequent headaches and watery eyes before the screening revealed that his glasses had been prescribed using incorrect measurements.
He was subsequently provided with glasses with the correct prescription for both reading and distance vision.
