Story by Tafara Chikumira
A free eye camp led by the Eye Institute of Zimbabwe has brought relief to hundreds of residents in the Midlands Province, many of whom had lived for years with untreated cataracts and poor eyesight due to the high cost of specialised surgery.
The Old Mutual-supported programme, held in the province for the first time, is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at expanding access to affordable eye care, particularly for elderly and marginalised communities. Specialist surgeons conducted screenings and operations throughout the exercise, which complements government efforts to improve equitable access to healthcare.
Eye Institute of Zimbabwe founder, Dr Ronald Mhizha, said the initiative was designed to ensure that age-related conditions such as cataracts do not condemn vulnerable citizens to preventable blindness.
“We started this programme in Manicaland. We then took it to Mashonaland West, and now we are in the Midlands province. Our thrust is to ensure that those who cannot afford these types of surgeries do not lose hope. As people get older, they tend to develop some cataracts.
These can be detected earlier and treatment can therefore be sought. So we are moving across the country, giving hope to the elderly,” Eye Institute of Zimbabwe Founder, Dr Ronald Mhizha noted.
Some of the beneficiaries say the programme has come at the right time as they were not able to meet the costs associated with the medical procedures.
“I do not even know where these doctors came from. I was afraid I was going to burden my children, but today, I have been saved. At my age, I can not even afford several items, let alone eye surgery,” a beneficiary, Mrs Getrude Gwikwiriri said.
“I am now 74 years old. Although on pension, my pay can hardly meet my needs. This programme has given me another chance at my eyesight. We got news of it from the diabetes association and we got screened before coming here for treatment,” Mr Simon Hamba added.
The government says the programme is critical as it dovetails with the inclusive development approach.
“The eye-camp resonates with the health for all by the year 2030 policy and the mantra leaving no one and no place behind that underpin the Second Republic, under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s desire to improve service delivery and in particular transformation of the health sector through equitable provision of quality, accessible and affordable world class health services,” the Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said.
With an ordinary eye surgery in the country averaging a minimum of US$600, the free eye camp project is bringing hope to thousands of people who require such specialised medication.
