A donation from Christian Blind Mission is set to boost specialised eye care services in Ssingo County, reducing referrals to Kampala and bringing treatment closer to residents.
Muteesa II Health Centre IV in Ssingo County has received a modern eye screening machine, boosting specialised eye care services in the area and reducing the burden on patients who previously had to travel long distances for treatment.
The facility was established under the Kingdom of Buganda’s plan to construct hospitals in five of its 18 counties, including Ssingo.
Since its construction, the health centre has steadily expanded its services and today stands out as one of the best-equipped county health facilities within the kingdom’s health network.
The newly acquired eye screening equipment was donated by Christian Blind Mission (CBM), a partner organisation supporting eye health initiatives.
The machine was officially handed over during a ceremony attended by the Kabaka’s representative in Ssingo County, Deo Mukwenda Kagimu, alongside medical teams from Mengo Hospital.
While receiving the equipment, Mukwenda Kagimu expressed gratitude to His Majesty the Kabaka for prioritising healthcare development in Ssingo County.
“We are deeply grateful to His Majesty for always thinking about the people of Ssingo,” he said.
“There has been a significant demand for eye treatment services in this county, with many residents suffering from eye infections and other complications.”
He noted that access to modern diagnostic equipment will significantly improve early detection and treatment of common eye conditions, including cataracts and infections.
Dr Edward Mpata, the head of Muteesa II Health Centre IV, welcomed the donation and assured residents that the facility is committed to strengthening service delivery.
“We are going to enhance our eye care services because we have seen a steady increase in the number of patients seeking treatment,” Dr Mpata said. “This equipment will help us diagnose conditions early and provide timely intervention.”
Medical personnel from Mengo Hospital, led by Isaac Wassa, who oversees business and market coordination, explained that the decision to install the equipment in Ssingo followed concerns about the shortage of eye specialists in Uganda.
“We recognised that eye specialists are still few in the country, and Mengo Hospital has been overstretched,” Wassa said.
“That is why we resolved to decentralise services by equipping the Kabaka’s hospital in Ssingo so that people can receive care closer to home.”
Residents suffering from eye conditions welcomed the development, noting that they had been spending large sums of money travelling to Kampala for treatment.
“We used to incur high transport and medical costs travelling to Kampala,” one patient said. “We thank the Kabaka for bringing this service closer to us.”
Hospital authorities have designated Wednesdays as the official day for comprehensive eye screening clinics.
Patients will undergo examinations and, depending on diagnosis, receive medication or prescription glasses.
The new equipment is expected to enhance eye health services in Ssingo County, reduce referral cases to Kampala, and improve access to affordable care for residents.
