Garissa County Referral Hospital will host an eye surgery camp, a lifeline for hundreds of patients in Garissa County and the wider North Eastern region. The free surgical camp will be held from 24th to 27th September 2026.
The programme will offer free cataract surgery, during which the clouded natural lens of the eye will be replaced with an artificial intraocular lens to restore vision, together with medication.
Screening and assessment is ongoing at the Eye Clinic of Garissa County Referral Hospital.
Chief Executive Officer Mahat Sheikh Salah said the camp reflects the facility’s drive to bring specialised care closer to communities that have long travelled far for treatment.
“Healthcare is not a luxury. It is a human right. This camp will restore sight for patients who would otherwise be forced to travel to major towns at great cost,” Mr. Salah said.
He added that the hospital’s expanding specialist capacity, including the Eye Unit, is part of a wider effort to serve Garissa, neighbouring counties and communities that depend on the referral hospital.
“For years, patients from this region had to leave home for services that should be available here. Partnerships such as this one with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre allow us to deliver quality care at the doorstep of our people,” he said.
Mr. Salah urged eligible residents to present themselves for screening without delay, noting that timely surgery can restore independence and dignity.
“We remain committed to making Garissa County Teaching and Referral Hospital a centre of excellence in accessible specialised care for Northern Kenya. Restoring vision is restoring lives,” he said.
The Eye Unit Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Amal Al-Shabibi, said patients identified during the screening exercise will undergo surgery by specialist eye surgeons, with post-operative care and follow-up services also provided at no cost.
“The initiative is designed to reduce preventable blindness by expanding access to quality eye care for patients who would otherwise be unable to afford the treatment,” she said.
Dr. Amal Al-Shabibi noted that the camp is open to all individuals experiencing vision impairment caused by cataracts, one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness, particularly among older adults.
She urged residents experiencing blurred vision or other symptoms associated with cataracts to take advantage of the free screening before the surgical phase begins.
“Early diagnosis and timely treatment improve surgical outcomes and help patients regain their independence and quality of life.”
Dr. Amal Al-Shabibi underscored that the procedure, which previously required many patients to travel to major towns or even abroad at considerable expense, will now be available in Garissa free of charge.
“Residents experiencing vision problems caused by cataracts are encouraged to visit the Eye Clinic at Garissa County Referral Hospital for screening and assessment before the surgery dates,” said Dr. Amal Al-Shabibi.
She asked residents suffering from cataracts to take advantage of the initiative, aimed at restoring sight and improving the quality of life for patients affected by the condition.
The free cataract surgery camp is being conducted by Garissa County Referral Hospital in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre to expand access to specialised healthcare services across Garissa County.
