At least 200 families in Isiolo are set to benefit from a free eye clinic exercise in Cherab and Chari wards within Merti subcounty in a partnership between AIC Health Ministry and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Global.
The free eye clinic, hosted at Merti Subcounty Hospital and running until the end of the week, has already seen several successful eye surgeries performed.
County chief officer in charge of public health Bisharo Hassan said 76 patients have already undergone eye surgery in the door-to-door drive.
"After identifying those in need, we organised the exercise to ensure patients receive the best possible treatment," she said.
Similar initiatives have been successfully conducted in Oldonyiro and will be extended across all wards.
The Isiolo county government has provided substantial support for the programme, offering human resource, medicines, food, and logistical assistance, including transportation from patients' homes to Merti Subcounty Hospital for surgery and their return trips, for those from far-flung areas.
Going further, Isiolo County Director of Medical Services, Abdi Boru, said most patients undergoing surgery have cataract problems, with a few cases of pterygium.
The collaborative initiative has resulted in a three-year project known as the Priority Inclusive Delivery of Eye Health (PRIDE) with CBM and AIC Health Ministry.
It aims to provide free eye treatment to Isiolo residents suffering from various eye conditions.
Residents who have benefited from these services expressed their gratitude towards Governor Guyo for his timely intervention that has helped restore their sight.
Mohammed Abduba from Merti town whose 80-year-old mother successfully underwent eye surgery, said she had been ailing for the past five years.
"I have been struggling to help my mum get the much-needed corrective surgery as she couldn't see me while we spoke. Today, I am very excited because the operation was successful, and I didn't have to spend a single coin for this crucial procedure," he said.
Abduba and other residents remain optimistic that the county government will continue to transform the lives of Isiolo residents by implementing more development projects, with special attention to healthcare.
Abdia Huka from Saleti, a mother of three, lauded the leadership of Isiolo county for creating a conducive environment for development partnerships and fostering progressive collaboration.
She emphasised that this collaboration has led to improved service delivery and an enhanced quality of life for residents.
"If not for the excellent collaboration initiated by our governor, my 12-year-old son wouldn't have received treatment after living with cataracts for five years," Huka added.