Safe Surgical Aid conducted a paediatric eye camp at Garissa County Referral Hospital from October 29th to November 5th, 2023, aimed at providing surgical intervention for children with various eye ailments. The camp successfully benefited a total of 50 children, with 66 eye surgeries performed, primarily addressing congenital and trauma-related conditions.
Notably, 28 of the children were referred from Dadaab Refugee Camp by the Kenya Red Cross, due to the lack of ophthalmologists within the refugee complex. Consequently, children within the refugee community often endure treatable conditions for prolonged periods, significantly impacting their quality of life and educational opportunities.
The lead ophthalmic surgeon for the camp was Dr. Amal Ahmed Saeed Alshabibi, head of ophthalmology at Garissa County Referral Hospital. Under her leadership, the children received timely and expert surgical care, alleviating their years of suffering from reversible blindness.
The medical camp was generously funded by United Hands Relief and Development, an international humanitarian organization based in Texas, USA.
This paediatric eye camp represents a crucial intervention in breaking the cycle of untreated eye conditions that hinder children's development and well-being. By hosting the children in Garissa during surgery and treatment, Safe Surgical Aid facilitated access to specialized care otherwise unavailable within the refugee camp setting.
The successful outcomes of the camp underscore the importance of collaborative efforts between humanitarian organizations, medical professionals, and local healthcare institutions in addressing the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations.
Through such initiatives, we can make significant strides towards improving the lives and futures of children affected by treatable eye conditions.
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