Over 295 found with cataracts in Khoja Shia Community's free health camp
Some of the Dar es Salaam residents turn up for a three-day free health screening exercise at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in the city, where they received specialised services from doctors. The exercise was organised by the Khoja Shia Community. PHOTO | COURTERSY.
What you need to know:
- At least 298 residents of Dar es Salaam have been found with cataract cases during a three-day free eye screening exercise held recently at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in the city.
Dar es Salaam. At least 298 residents of Dar es Salaam have been found with cataract cases during a three-day free eye screening exercise held recently at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in the city.
Speaking after the conclusion of the exercise, the community’s chairman, Mr Mohammadraza Dewji, said over 2,469 reading glasses were distributed and nearly 2,945 eye drops were administered to the affected.
“We also collected 2,816 units of blood and conducted around 2,102 health screenings and consultations,” he said.
Mr Dewji noted that 56 cases were recorded and scheduled for long-term follow-ups and major surgeries, hinting that about 5,000 people were educated on mental health challenges.
“Over 1,382 individuals were subjected to cancer screening including breast, cervical, and prostate tumors, whereas 29 of them were found with the disease symptoms,” he said.
Further, Mr Dewji said other tests, including ultrasound, unveiled over 70 cases of the disease.
Emphasis was also placed on the provision of mental health education, whereas residents were educated on how to discover and address the growing health challenges including stress, anxiety, and depression.
"Provided education aimed at enabling people to understand how to take care of themselves and relatives including how to seek assistance whenever needed,” said Mr. Dewji.
The disease screening was accompanied by several counselling exercises conducted alongside different educational programmes, as well as guidance provision on mental health management using scientific and spiritual methods.
The camp chief health practitioner, Dr Amir Khanji, said mental health was an often-overlooked issue, especially in communities.
He urged people living with relatives suffering from mental health challenges to enhance intimacy with them so to better understand the problems they were going through.
“Non-communicable diseases are referred to lifestyle challenges arising from how people live, eat, and relate.
The high consumption of sugary foods, fatty and unbalanced diets, as well as inactivity, exacerbate the challenge,” he said.
Dr Khanji advised people working in various working settings and environments to appropriately use protective gear to prevent themselves from work-related illness.
Mr Dewji emphasised that free healthcare and disease screening services were part of teachings provided by Imam Hussain (A.S.) that when applied could bring positive changes in the community.
Imam Hussain's (A.S.) teachings encourage just living in the community as well as adhering to principles and morals regardless of an individual's religious affiliation, gender, tribe, and race, among others.
