Over 500 slum dwellers get free eye care

Over 500 slum dwellers living in Naguru area in Nakawa division, Kampala, have received free eye tests and spectacles.

The slum dwellers that include children aged between 2 years and above, were treated on Monday by Indian doctors from the North Indian Cultural Association of Uganda (NICA) at Naguru go down slum.

"I can hardly read two pages of a book or newspaper, when I start reading, my eyes develop tears. I have had this problem since 2010 during my O'Level. But I'm glad I have been told what my problem is and I'm starting medication right away," said 24-year-old Stella Anenah, a resident of Naguru slum.

Yasin Oyet, another free eye treatment beneficiary told New Vision that since 2000, when he was working as an office administrator, he developed sight problems due to constant use of computers.

He commended NICA for the free eye treatment camp which he said has enabled him acquire spectacles to improve on his sight.

"My sight problem has been escalating over the eyes, for me to read something, I have to draw close to be able to see clearly," said Oyet.

Optometrist Ganesh Prasad Yadav carrying out free eye checkup on an eight year old pupil Ian Kirundi. Photo by Shamim Saad

Jane Akello carrying her two and half year old son, Jeremiah Omara as consultant optometrist, Dr Gokul Godinath carries out free eye check up on him. Photo by Shamim Saad

The eye treatment exercise which started at about 7:00am, attracted people from Nakawa, and Naguru to receive free eye care. Hundreds of people were seen lining up in long queues.

"I have moved to all the hospitals around Kampala seeking eye treatment for my two year old son Jeremiah Omora. His eyes itch most of the time and tears keep rolling. I'm very hopefully he will get specialized treatment here," said Jane Akello.

According to Denis Onyut, the LCI chairman Naguru bank village, most of the locals living in Naguru slum area, especially the aged, were suffering from different eye problems with no money to seek specialized treatment.

"This eye treatment camp is the best thing that has ever happened in our area, most of these people take waragi and it has had a great impact on their eye sight," said Onyut.

Dharmendra Agarwal, the chairperson NICA said many Ugandans have failed to get their eyes treated due to the high fees charged by eye specialists.

He noted that the association had decided to extend free eye care treatment to slum dwellers, to enable them improve their eye sight at no cost, as a way of giving back to the community.

During the eye treatment exercise, the locals who turned up for the eye tests and those living around Naguru go down area, were also given free food and drinks for their lunch.

Meanwhile, NICA is set to offer free surgery to Ugandans mainly children that were crippled by polio. The specialists will use a procedure known as polio-deformity corrective surgery, which focuses on treatment of polio through corrective surgeries to help crawling patients to stand on their feet.