West Pokot County health department has called for collaboration between state and non-state partners in a move to help combat cataract disease in the region.
Speaking to KNA in Kapenguria, West Pokot County Eye Coordinator Ophthalmologist Samuel Koringura noted that greater coordinated multiagency healthcare practices is key in the fight against cataract that has continued to cause untold sufferings to some Kenyans.
“Cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that normally affects vision and is the most common cause of blindness and visual impairment, and is often related to ageing. We need combined efforts from the government, private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), churches and civil societies to end cataract disease in the country,” Koringura explained.
He said from July 2021 to June 2022, over 2000 surgeries have been conducted to cataract and Trachoma patients who have recovered however, he said currently they have a target of 1000 but have only managed to attend to 300 patients so far.
The ophthalmologist revealed that there are partners willing to offer free eye surgeries for those affected but many of the West Pokot residents are unwilling to volunteer themselves for medication due to unknown phobia.
“We held a stakeholder meeting recently where our discussions were anchored on the current challenges, priorities and strategies that will enable counter cataract in West Pokot County. We are looking for ways on how to reach those who are affected with cataract but have deliberately or ignorantly refused to seek medication,” posed Koringura.
During this financial year, he said, the government has trained 2200 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) on eye health and condition identification, conducted 320 community dialogues and held 210 maternal child health talks.
He added that a total of 154 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and Public Health Officers (PHOs) have been engaged.
He said the county received one operating microscope and slit lamp from Fred Hallowed Foundation, an international development Organisation.
“A total of 200 health care workers were trained on eye health and two Mass Drugs Administration (MDA) on trachoma and were deployed in North Pokot and Central Pokot sub counties in October 2021 and June 2022,” stated Ophthalmologist.
He observed that tremendous progress in the fight against cataract has been made although the disease remains persistently high in remote areas due to vulnerability.
He stressed the need for the continued fight against the eye condition since it not only affects social economic development of the community but also could lead to permanent blindness to those affected.
“We have set up a roadmap for more integrated response across the non-governmental organisations, educationists, private sectors, churches and government partners that will help address the cataract menace,” he highlighted.
He said next year they are targeting to take their eye medication services to the hard-to-reach villages within the county and where residents have refused to seek medication. He lauded non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders who have partnered with the government in the fight against cataract and trachoma.
“We are devising ways to curb the diseases through implementation of procedures, programmes and policies that will help reduce cataract among all age groups. The government is committed to ensuring those suffering from cataract have access to appropriate health care,” reiterated Koringura
Koringura added that the government looks forward to a strong and fruitful collaboration with other stakeholders in fight against the disease. He said children are occasionally born with cataract and can also develop it following an eye injury or as a result of diseases such a glaucoma and diabetes as well as inflammation.
He added that cataract may develop as a result of exposure to some types of radiations and steroids highlighting that over 80 per cent of blindness cases are preventable and avoidable.
