Songwe Regional Referral Hospital has been praised by the Optometry Council of Tanzania for setting a national benchmark in optometry services.
The hospital was commended for its professional staff, accessible corrective eyewear, and adherence to national standards.
The recognition came on August 20, 2025, during a joint supervisory visit led by the Registrar of the Optometry Council, Mr. Sebastiano Millanzi, who inspected service delivery and compliance with the council’s guidelines.
“We visited the hospital’s optometry services and were impressed, especially with the availability of treatment glasses and qualified specialists. Keep up the good work so that every citizen leaving here becomes an ambassador for your services,” Mr. Millanzi said.
Hospital Executive Officer Dr. Ramadhan Juma Ramadhani welcomed the visit, promising to sustain the high standards and address areas that need improvement.
“Your visit provides an external perspective. Sometimes routine makes us assume everything is fine, but feedback from others helps us improve,” he said.
However, the council also flagged unauthorized production and sale of optometry products, including eyeglass frames and lenses, by unqualified individuals in the region.
Private practitioners with professional gaps were urged to report to district offices for guidance on proper service delivery.
As a result, the Dova Optometry Service Center, whose registration conflicted with its location, was given 90 days to regularize its operations.
The supervisory exercise also aimed to strengthen the capacity of regional and district health officials to effectively manage optometry services in their areas.
