Increasing cataracts cases among the elderly worry medics

Medical officers have expressed concerns over increasing cases of cataracts among elderly persons in Rachuonyo East Sub-county, Homa Bay County.

In a free medical camp held at Ober Level Four Hospital in Rachuonyo East Sub-county, more than 1000 people sought medication for the condition.

The medical camp organised by Mercy and Love Foundation in partnership with Kwame Otiende Foundation, KMET and other partners, a number of elderly persons aged 60 years and above were developing or had developed cataracts.

Ober Level Four Medical Superintendent Jared Onyango said the cases of cataracts needed a lot of interventions to rescue the affected senior citizens.

“We have not concluded the medical services in this camp but we have realised that several senior citizens aged 60 years and above are suffering from cataracts,” Onyango said.

He said the situation was worrying because the revelation came during a free medical camp. This means many elderly persons might be suffering from the eye problem at home, without seeking medical care in health facilities.

Onyango said a cataract is a problem that can be cured through surgical operations.

He said they had referred the elderly persons who were suffering from the problem to other health facilities for surgery.

“Cataracts can be treated through surgery. I urge every resident of this county with the problem to visit the nearest health facilities for medical redress,” Onyango said.

He said they were going to do campaigns on cataracts identification and management in the sub-county.

Apart from cataracts, the residents’ various medical conditions acquired health services.

These included general medical conditions, dental, cancer screening among others. The services were offered by medics from America, Rwanda and local medical practitioners who served residents.

According to Sylvester Kasera of Kwame Otiende Foundation, getting health services is a challenge to many residents of Homa Bay since the transition of Social Health Authority began early this month.

“This camp is going to assist many people because, as we speak, seeking health services is a serious problem in Homa Bay since the SHA transition began,” Kasera said.

He said his foundation was committed to ensuring that residents got medical services.

Immaculate Atieno, the project officer of KMET said the camp enabled residents to acquire medical services without any obstacles caused by a lack of money.

“Medical consultants are difficult to find but this camp has brought a number of specialists here. The consultants have managed to solve problems which could be solved immediately and patients were given drugs,” Atieno said.