Relief for city patients as Sakaja opens eye hospital

Nairobi county yesterday marked a milestone as it officially launched its first public eye hospital.
The hospital will be a relief to city residents as most patients in low-resource settings are unable to afford specialised eye treatment.

The Sh12.7 million Mama Lucy Eye Hospital is located at Umoja 2 in Embakasi West sub-county.

“It is crucial to emphasize that this eye hospital is an affordable public facility. Whatever your financial situation, you will be able to get the help you need here. Quality eye care is not a privilege for the fortunate few; it is the right of every Nairobian. It is one of a kind and more so in the county,” said Governor Johnson Sakaja.

It has a 30-bed capacity, where patients can rest as well as be admitted during eye procedures.

Operating theatres

The facility, according to Mama Lucy Hospital chief executive Alfred Wafula has two operating theatres with five eye operating microscopes with the ability of operating five patients at a go.

“We are the first hospital with a stand-alone glass production unit inside the hospital,” Wafula said.
When the patient comes for spectacles after they are given a prescription, it takes 30 minutes for the patient to get the spectacles.

There are seven consultants and the hospital will be operating 24 hours.

The operating eye microscope cost Sh6.7 million, theatre items Sh3 million, hospital furniture Sh1 million and civil works at Sh2 million.

“By offering the establishment of the eye care and treatment facility, the county seeks to alleviate the burden of cataracts on individuals and improve their overall well-being,” Wekesa