SINGIDA: EYE care professionals in Singida Region have screened 1,500 residents for eye conditions and performed cataract surgery on 180 patients as part of efforts to improve access to eye care services.
The Singida Regional Eye Care Coordinator, Dr Upendo Mwakabalile, disclosed the figures in Singida town while presenting a report on eye care services during the World Sight Day commemorations held nationally at Singida Regional Referral Hospital in Mandewa.
She added that the region had established three service centres to expand access to eye screening and surgical services.
Dr Mwakabalile said Singida Regional Referral Hospital screened 400 people, 30 of whom underwent surgery.
At Singida District Council, 500 people received eye screening services, while 55 underwent cataract surgery, she said.
At Ihanja Health Centre in Ikungi District, more than 600 people were screened, with 100 patients undergoing cataract surgery.
She said the services had been made possible through support from the Ministry of Health and various development partners.
Speaking during the commemorations, Acting Singida Regional Medical Officer Lussa Kitiku stressed that protecting eye health was a shared responsibility.
He urged people experiencing vision problems to seek medical attention at eye care facilities rather than suffer in silence at home.
Mr Kitiku also encouraged the public to become eye health ambassadors in their homes and communities by raising awareness and encouraging others to prioritise eye care.
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He commended the government for collaborating with development partners to improve eye care infrastructure and specialist services at Muhimbili National Hospital and zonal referral hospitals, including Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Bugando, Mbeya, Chato and Benjamin Mkapa Hospital (BMH).
He also praised Singida residents for turning out in large numbers for eye screening and reminded the public to have their eyes examined at least once a year or as advised by health professionals.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme “Love Your Eyes”, which encourages people to share their personal experiences to inspire others to protect their eyesight.
The initiative seeks to prevent avoidable blindness and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) marked World Sight Day on October 8, 2026, calling on the eye health sector to unite behind the global #LoveYourEyes campaign.
According to the IAPB, over the past five years, the campaign has secured more than 25 million pledges to prioritise eye health and generated over one billion media impressions.
It has also continued to serve as a key milestone in preparations for the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health.