Sh200m eye hospital opens

By KENAN MIRUKA

KISII COUNTY, KENYA: Kisii County has received a major boost in the healthcare sector with the establishment of a Sh200 million eye hospital.

The facility put up by a local investor will provide affordable eye care to over five million people across five counties in South Nyanza and beyond through a cross subsidisation model.

The Innovation Eye Centre located in Kisii town and the first specialty private eye hospital in the South Western region opened its doors to the public in a ceremony presided over by Governor James Ongwae.

Over the past one week, more than 2,000 residents benefitted from a free eye exam and cataract surgery organised by the hospital.

“Our hospital utilises the latest medical equipment and cutting edge technology for eye care. We are here to ensure all receive eye care irrespective of ability to pay,” said Prof Dan Kiage, the co-founder.

ratio of experts

The hospital, which has partners in India, UK, US, Germany, South Africa, Australia and Nigeria, will train ophthalmologists at its Kisii Eye Care Institute to boost the ratio of experts.

“WHO recommends one ophthalmologist for every 250,000 people yet Kisii and Nyamira counties with over one million people have none. We shall partner with the county government,” said Kiage.