A total of 811 residents of Lushoto District in Tanga Region have benefited from free eye treatment funded by The Sunshine Muslims Volunteers (SMV), following a three-day medical outreach held at Lushoto District Hospital.
The camp, conducted from December 29 to 31, 2025, provided comprehensive eye care services, including surgery, screening and the distribution of spectacles. Of the beneficiaries, 104 patients underwent eye surgery, 312 received prescription glasses, while 267 were given protective sunglasses to guard against harmful solar radiation.
Lushoto Member of Parliament Prof. Riziki Shemdoe praised SMV for supporting the initiative, saying the intervention had significantly improved access to specialised eye care for residents who would otherwise struggle to afford such services.
He made the remarks on January 1, 2026, while speaking with SMV Treasurer Dr Juma Mzimbiri, a medical doctor at the Muhimbili National Hospital’s Orthopaedic Institute (MOI).
Prof. Shemdoe also expressed appreciation to the ophthalmic specialist and the medical team that conducted the camp in collaboration with the District Medical Officer, doctors and nurses from Lushoto District Hospital.
He further linked the success of the programme to the government’s cooperation diplomacy under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, noting that strengthened international partnerships had made it possible for residents of Lushoto, Mlalo and Bumbuli constituencies to benefit from specialised health services.
Calling for sustainability, Prof. Shemdoe urged SMV and its partners to continue supporting eye health programmes so that more people could benefit each year.
He said the organisation’s commitment reflected its guiding principle of serving humanity for the sake of God.
For his part, Dr Mzimbiri said the camp had delivered tangible benefits to the community, with patients receiving eye screening, surgery and both prescription and protective eyewear.
He thanked Prof. Shemdoe for working closely with SMV to mobilise partners, adding that the collaboration helped attract additional support from Yeryuz Doktorlari, which also took part in providing services during the outreach.