More than 700 residents in Rungwe District are set to benefit from free eye treatment, including life-changing cataract surgeries, during a seven-day medical outreach organised by Hellen Keller International in collaboration with the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) and the Ministry of Health.
The initiative, currently underway in Rungwe, aims to tackle preventable blindness and improve access to specialist eye care for rural communities.
Speaking during a visit to the outreach camp, the Rungwe District Medical Officer, Dr. Diocles Ngaiza, confirmed that over 200 patients had already received treatment within the first two days.
“We are expecting to serve more than 700 patients by the end of the week. Already, those treated are showing significant improvement in their vision compared to when they arrived,” said Dr. Ngaiza.
He emphasized that the district has developed several strategies to strengthen eye health services, including increasing the number of eye care professionals and investing in medical equipment for local health facilities.
“This is not a one-time effort. We are committed to improving eye care at the grassroots level through a combination of skilled personnel and appropriate infrastructure,” Dr. Ngaiza noted.
He also urged members of the public, particularly those suffering from vision problems such as cataracts, to come forward and utilize the free services.
“This is a golden opportunity for anyone struggling with eye problems. We encourage all affected individuals to come for screening and treatment,” he said.
The outreach is part of a broader push by the government and its partners to eliminate avoidable blindness in Tanzania, especially in underserved communities.
Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of blindness in the country, yet they are highly treatable with timely surgical intervention.
Through such public-private partnerships, Tanzania continues to make strides in enhancing equitable access to health services, ensuring no one is left behind due to geographical or financial constraints.