TAITA TAVETA, Kenya – The Fred Hollows Foundation has given the county government specialised medical equipment as part of its renewed commitment to bolstering eye health services in Taita Taveta County.
The equipment was given to deputy governor Christine Kilalo at the County offices in Mwatate by a group from the international NGO, led by Carmichael Nduri, the Foundation’s Head of Programs.
Eye disorders, especially cataracts, the primary preventable cause of blindness in Kenya, will be better treated thanks to the shipment of ophthalmic equipment.
“Our goal is to ensure that no one in Taita Taveta goes blind simply because they cannot access treatment. Through this partnership, we are not just donating equipment, but also building sustainable systems by training medical staff, raising community awareness, and improving infrastructure,” said Mr. Nduri.
Advanced equipment including an operational microscope, A-scan, autorefractor with keratometer, slit lamp, tonometers, surgical sets for cataract and glaucoma, cautery machines, ophthalmoscopes, retinoscopes, trial sets, and sterilisers are included in the contribution.
According to Nduri, this program is a component of a five-year collaboration with the Taita Taveta County Government to increase access to eye health care at the sub-county and referral levels.
The deputy governor welcomed the partnership, saying the county is committed to improving health services in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
Why Taita Taveta County Gov’t is focused on UHC
The county is dedicated to enhancing health services in accordance with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan, the deputy governor said, welcoming the alliance.
“This support comes at a time when we are working to strengthen specialized health services in our county. Eye health is a priority because it affects productivity, dignity and quality of life for our people,” said Kilalo.
The necessity of establishing and implementing regulations that guarantee the viability of initiatives started by partners in coordination with the county government was also underlined by the deputy governor.
County officials, including County Ophthalmologist Dr. Asha Udu, Health Director Elvis Mwandawiro, and Health Chief Officer Violet Mkamburi, commended the partnership’s outcomes, pointing to the Moi Voi Eye Center’s improved equipment, which has decreased patient referrals.
Senior health officials, including Bessy Mwebia, the regional coordinator for the Fred Hollows Coast, are also there.
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