Over 500 People Receive Eye Care Treatment In Nebbi

By Mike RWOTHOMIO 

NEBBI, UGANDA! Ronald Okumu, a resident of Jupukumu cell, Parombu town council, Nebbi district started experiencing eye complications in 2018, over the years, Okumu‘s eye problem kept multiplying , propelling him to move to different health facilities to seek for health assistance. 

In most hospitals across the country, many patients can’t seek for eye care due to the high cost that ranges between shillings 600,000- 1, million. 

 The financial constraints also barred Okumu from moving to far-off health facilities. Amidst all the challenges, Okumu, a peasant farmer continued with his farm activities to cater for his family and ensure his children access quality education.

As time ticks, he started losing sight gradually, and in 2021, his world was covered with total darkness, after he fully lost his sight. 

He lost all hope and left everything in the hands of God. All the responsibilities he used to shoulder, shifted to the wife solely. After sometimes, his wife was unable to shoulder all the burdens alone, his children especially those ones in secondary school dropped out.

 “I lost hope in life, at a certain point, I thought of not living in this world” Okumu said in an interview with this publication on October, 17.

Okumu’s hope was restored upon listening to a local radio announcement by Lions Club of Nebbi, mobilizing for a forthcoming eye camp at Nebbi General Hospital in Nebbi Municipality.

Upon turning up for the eye camp, He underwent eye surgery and the following day, he was able to see light again after three years of invisibility. 

 “ when I listened to the radio announcement, I thought it was a lie but realized that it was the truth” Okumu narrated to this Publication after regaining his sight , ecstatically adding “ I can see, oh my God, thanks be to the lord and Dr. Amos Nyathirombu who made me see again”Notwithstanding the spiraling cases of visual problems in Uganda, health experts argue that some of the complications are easily preventable if earlier tackled.

 But there are many Ugandans who suffer with the problem, owing to a number of factors. 

Another patient who regained his sight is Omia Grace Okpala, a resident of Paminya Upper Parish, Ategu sub-county, Nebbi District. 

He lost his sight in 2022 when an object hit his eyes as he was busy doing his farm work, he struggled with one side of his eyes, due to financial constraints, and he wouldn’t push further for proper medical care.

“ when I heard of the eye camp on radio, I blessed God because I knew that something good was going to happen in my life and yes…I can see again, thank God for the doctors who made me to see” Okpala said.

These two patients are amongst the over 500 people who received eye and ear care services, thanks to comprehensive eye care project implemented by Lions club.

 Through the eye camp that ended October 17, 726 patients were attended to, and a total of 140 surgeries were conducted.

 Those with cataracts (117) and 23 others. There were also 174 specs dispensed. D. Amos Nyathirombu, an eye specialist and the coordinator of the comprehensive eye care project said the program was conducted at a cost sharing fee.

 He also commended Nebbi district based doctors for “offering free accommodation to the specialists”

The increased visual problems in Uganda is majorly exacerbated by delay to seek medical attention, according the eye specialists.

Nyathirombo, who physically participated in the eye surgery operation said “don’t stay with blind people at home “Cataract, trachoma, pin eyes amongst others were some of the sight problems tackled at a cost-sharing fee.

Nyathirombu called upon members to voluntarily contribute towards the eye camps that are conducted annually in all districts with Lions clubs.

Rapid Assessments of Avoidable Blindness survey indicates that about 160,000 Ugandans are blind and 2.8 million people continue to suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment.

The vice president of the lions club of Nebbi, Dr. Jakor Oryema, commended eye specialist Dr. Amos Nyathirombu, for bringing the impacting program to the underprivileged. “I would like to thank Dr.Amos in his capacity as the coordinator for the activities, I’m glad that Amos was able to get part of the funding needed for the activities” Jakor noted, adding that though their activity was frequently interrupted by constant power outage, they improvised to ensure the program was a success.

The Lions club also donated eye care equipment worth shilling 14 million that included a microscope to Nebbi general hospital. 

Nyathirombu called upon the Hospital administration to take right care of the equipment, to help the government facility, which for years has been significantly under-funded.

Isaac Ochora, a senior clinical officer and a member of the district health team, commended the Lions club for the hope-driven initiative, which has brought joy in the lives of many underprivileged.

“We highly appreciate the equipment donated, and we pledge to take its proper care” Ochora noted, adding that “we should continue with this partnership to improve the livelihoods of our people”