An unacceptably high number of our countryfolk, 2.8 million are partially legally blind and 160,000 are fully legally blind, it is reported.

Glaucoma, cataract, refractive errors, are among eye diseases on the increase in Uganda, because of poor hygiene, it is reported.

Nutrition related eye disease, such as diabetic eye disease, are reported on the rise because of changes in lifestyle and diets – increased consumption of ‘unhealthy food’.

Experts confirm most eye diseases, such as are named herein, which cause blindness, can be treated if detected early. Unfortunately,

“Eye health care is neglected by our government. That is why in the Ministry of Health, eye care was not given its own department, but it was put under the unit for disability; and it is headed by a non-ophthalmologist.”

The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, indeed recognised, this neglect and cautioned that

“We need to broaden our perspective on health. There is need to sensitize all policy makers to realise the need to give more funding to eye health care.”

It is such a broad perspective of healthcare services provision that we are advocating for. Particularly, preventative healthcare through food and nutrition security. It is a wise and more longer-term sustainable approach in a country such as ours, in which access to curative healthcare services is not guaranteed and healthcare services are inaccessible to the majority.

Case in point, reportedly, there are only 40 ophthalmologists (the highest level of eye doctors) in Uganda serving a population of nearly 46 million people – an ophthalmologist to population ration of 1:1,150,000. For context, the World Health Organisation recommended ratio for ophthalmologist to population is 1:1,000.

Continue to read the full report here.