NAIROBI – Governor Johnson Sakaja has inaugurated the Mama Lucy Kibaki Eye Hospital in Umoja Two Annexe, introducing a new public facility for eye health care in Nairobi on Monday.
According to Kenya News Agency, the hospital stands out as a significant addition to the region’s eye health sector, previously dominated by private entities that are costly for many citizens. He emphasized the importance of the new hospital, which offers affordable eye treatment and called on residents to refer those with eye ailments to the facility.
The facility boasts a 28-bed admission capacity, a double theatre for surgeries, and a team of qualified personnel. Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Director Benard Gituma confirmed that the hospital is now conducting eye surgeries, with patients ranging from a four-year-old child to an eighty-nine-year-old individual.
Governor Sakaja also mentioned the government’s intent to reduce the necessity for Kenyans to seek eye treatment abroad, which often comes with a significant financial burden. He assured that the hospital will be equipped with the necessary surgical materials and technologies, including the manufacturing of spectacle lenses. Additionally, he announced the procurement of 1,000 spectacles to support individuals with visual impairments.
Sakaja pointed out that Mama Lucy Kibaki Eye Hospital is the first public eye hospital to launch out of 19 similar projects within Nairobi that had been stalled due to financial challenges. He committed to ensuring the completion and full equipment of these projects to meet the expectations of the Nairobi population.
The governor underscored that a hospital’s value is determined not just by its infrastructure, but by the quality of its services, healthcare professionals, and its affordability for the public. He called for all health workers to commit to excellence in service to Kenyans.
Lastly, Sakaja praised the contribution of the youth in his Green Army initiative, which has provided employment within the county and has improved the infrastructure, notably drainage systems in areas like South C and Westlands, which are now better managed during heavy rainfall.