The Nakuru County Government has intensified efforts to strengthen eye care services in learning institutions and public health facilities across the county.
This comes as officials declare that clear vision should be treated as a basic right rather than a privilege.
County Director for Medical Services Dr. Daniel Wainaina said the devolved unit was committed to ensuring residents, especially school-going children and vulnerable communities, access quality and affordable ophthalmic care services.
Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from Eye & U Kenya aimed at strengthening ophthalmic care services in the county’s 11 sub-counties, he noted that poor eye health continued to affect education, economic productivity, and public safety.
“Eye health is not just a medical issue. It is central to education outcomes, work productivity, road safety, and the country’s economic resilience,” said Dr. Wainaina.
He emphasized that integrating eye health into the broader healthcare system was critical in achieving universal health coverage.
“To achieve universal health coverage, eye health should be fully integrated into the health system, ensuring equitable access for all, especially the most vulnerable populations. Eye health plays a very critical role in Kenya’s socio-economic development,” he added.
The director observed that limited access to eye care services remained one of the major gaps in Kenya’s healthcare system, calling for urgent and coordinated interventions.
According to Dr. Wainaina, the partnership between Nakuru County and Eye & U Kenya seeks to enhance access to specialized eye care services in county health facilities that currently lack adequate ophthalmic treatment capacity.
“The collaboration aims to ensure residents receive quality ophthalmic care at subsidized costs,” he stated.
He further revealed that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration plans to establish and strengthen facility-based eye care services while conducting periodic medical outreach eye camps in different sub-counties.
The initiative is expected to support mass screening and treatment of various eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, corneal dystrophies, pterygium, and refractive errors, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
“Ophthalmic care is one of the critical health services that has not received the attention it deserves over the years. However, we remain committed to strengthening eye care services as part of the broader agenda to improve healthcare outcomes across the county,” Dr. Wainaina assured.
He reiterated that Nakuru County would continue investing in eye health programmes to meet global health targets and safeguard the sight of residents.
Official statistics indicate that only 6.7 percent of Kenyans requiring eyesight correction can access the necessary care.
Ministry of Health records show that Kenya’s effective refractive error coverage currently stands at approximately 6.7 percent, leaving millions without access to basic vision correction services such as spectacles.
Health experts warn that uncorrected refractive error remains one of the leading causes of visual impairment in the country despite being easily treatable.
Dr. Wainaina noted that the effects of poor eyesight extend beyond personal health and continue to undermine education and economic opportunities.
“Behind this statistic is a child failing in school simply because they cannot see clearly, a worker whose productivity is limited not by lack of skill but by poor vision, and even road traffic accidents that could have been prevented,” he said.
The county has also urged healthcare workers to champion accessible and quality eye care services at the community level where demand remains high.
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Medical experts have described poor vision in Kenya as a “silent public health crisis,” warning that its impact on individuals and the economy is often underestimated.
According to the 2026 Nakuru Eye Disease Cohort Study, the most prevalent eye conditions in the region include vision impairment and blindness caused by cataracts, uncorrected refractive errors, age-related macular degeneration, and conjunctivitis.
By Kimutai Langat
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