Kapenguria Town, Dr. Kenneth Kirui, an eye specialist at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital, has urged parents of children with disabilities to seek medical help instead of hiding them at home. During a sensitization forum on Wednesday, Dr. Kirui addressed the issue of social stigma faced by children with disabilities due to certain beliefs.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Kirui emphasized that people living with disabilities deserve proper medical treatment and should be taken to health facilities with specialized care. Ms. Emily Cheptum, a participant with visual impairment, praised the work of Non-Governmental Organisations in the region and called for increased collaboration between these organizations and the county government.
Ms. Cheptum, from Chepololek Self Help Group in Talau, noted that there has been a significant change in how persons with disabilities are treated compared to the past. She specifically commended the Fred Hollows Foundation for its work in West Pokot County, providing home visits by eye specialists and training on eye care.
The forum highlighted the importance of sensitization in preventing certain eye defects in the region. Charles Adokes, another participant, pointed out that people with visual impairments are often neglected in society, but recent initiatives are working to change this. The Fred Hollows Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, has been conducting awareness programs on eye care and avoidable blindness within the county.