Today, Monday, December 23, 2024, Kabgayi Eye Unit, in partnership with CBM, Light for the World, and Kabgayi Diocese, donated essential materials for eye care to 16 health centers and the Muhanga Correctional Center, all located in Muhanga.
The donated items included HP laptops, torches, eye screening materials, and a book containing essential information on eye diseases, all of which will be used during eye care consultations.
Speaking to ICK News, Dr. Tuyisabe Théophile, the Director of Kabgayi Eye Unit, explained that the donation aimed to bridge the gap between patients and doctors, particularly for those living far from Kabgayi Eye Unit.
“We donated these equipments in two key ways,” Dr. Tuyisabe stated. “The first is to help patients in rural areas access Kabgayi Eye Unit services, no matter where they are. The second is to enhance the capacity of doctors and health centers to provide first aid eye care services.”
Dr. Tuyisabe also noted that these materials are expected to assist health center directors in preparing reports and sharing required information with the Ministry of Health and district authorities.
“Additionally, since they are required to submit reports, whether to the Ministry of Health or at the district level, we provided them with tools such as laptops and other essential materials to facilitate this process, “he added.
Apart from that, Kabgayi Eye Unit also donated six assistive devices to benefit young people who became blind at an early age.
Emmanuel Ndagiyinka, the director of Shogwe Health Center, one of the recipients, highlighted the challenges his team had faced in conducting consultations to assess the severity of patients’ eye conditions. He expressed optimism that the newly acquired equipment would enable accurate diagnoses and improved care.
“The laptops we received today will greatly assist us,” he said. “Preparing reports and entering information into the system will now be faster and easier, eliminating the need for hard copies, which are vulnerable to damage from rain or other issues.”
Donatha Mukandayisenga, the director of Gitarama Health Center, also expressed gratitude, stating that the equipment came at a critical time to improve eye care services.
“This equipment will help us get closer to our patients,” she explained. “Previously, the health center had only one piece of essential equipment, meaning patients had to wait for their turn. Now, we can diagnose eye conditions in real time and provide timely treatment, helping to prevent avoidable blindness.”
In his remarks, Balthazar Ntivuguruzwa, Bishop of the Diocese of Kabgayi and the guest of honor, thanked the Kabgayi Eye Unit and its partners for their crucial role in saving lives by treating eye conditions and helping people regain their sight.
“Reaching this level would not have been possible without everyone working together,” he said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.
The Bishop further acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, much work remains in the fight against blindness. He shared that Kabgayi Eye Unit and the Diocese of Kabgayi have ambitious plans to tackle existing challenges.
“As Kabgayi Eye Unit, we are committed to combating blindness. We have a project to establish a school dedicated to training professionals in eye care,”Bishop Balthazar stated. “This is a school we want to have here in Kabgayi. Although it remains a project for now and we lack the necessary funds, we are hopeful we will secure them.”
He also shared plans to create a center where people can access essential eye care equipment, such as eyeglasses.
“We also aim to establish a center to provide these tools and resources,” he explained.
Bishop Balthazar concluded by encouraging continued collaboration. “I urge everyone to keep supporting one another to achieve these goals. I also propose we meet twice a year to discuss these issues and track our progress, “he added.
The equipments donated today are valued at approximately 25 million Rwandan Francs.
