Improve eye care access
Many Kenyans requiring eye care lack access to medical attention and specialists across the...
A severe eye-care gap exists in Kenya, with many lacking access to medical attention and specialists across the counties. Early intervention can cure or prevent 80 per cent of visual impairment and blindness, yet only 1.6 million people can access the necessary services out of 7.5 million in need. Most ophthalmologists operate in Nairobi, leaving a shortage of one specialist for every 450,000 people in rural areas.
Rural populations must travel to major towns for optician consultations, with an average cost of Sh14,000 per visit, which many find unaffordable due to additional travel expenses and the high cost of spectacles. Some patients are blinded because of insufficient expert attention in public hospitals and health centres, allowing conditions to worsen.
The government should invest more in establishing optical care centers staffed by experts nationwide, particularly to address simple surgeries for cataracts. Changing lifestyles, including increased screen exposure, particularly among young people, have also exacerbated the problem. Regular eye tests are crucial, but many face challenges in accessing them due to financial constraints.
Delayed attention to eye issues can render conditions irreversible. Earlier diagnoses and management make diseases easier to treat. Restored eyesight enhances patient productivity and quality of life. There are concerns that unscrupulous traders may adulterate products to fill the gap. The financial health of hospitals deteriorates as they struggle to meet the demand.
Mudavadi warns that attacks on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) could erode public confidence ahead of the 2027 elections.
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