Borama And Hargeisa School Children Screened For Eye Defects

Dr. Abdi Elmi Obseyeh, Eye Unit, Borama Public Hospital

School children at 14 primary schools in Hargeisa and 6 in Borama have been screened for eye diseases and defects. The aim of this project was to find out children with eyesight problems or diseases and then provide them with the necessary correction, or treatment, accordingly.

This was the first health program of its kind ever to be introduced at Somaliland schools. The program, assisted by UNICEF, had been well received by the community. In fact community leaders at both Hargeisa and Borama said they would be looking forward to see more of such useful and effective programs in the future. Some of the parents of the school children were even surprised by the UNICEF’s involvement in the program.

"I thought UNICEF only supported immunization campaigns and water programs," said one of them. Another parent expressed gratitude by saying "For a long time I couldn’t afford buying my two sons the eye glasses they needed, but today, praise to Allah, I was able to do just that with 10 dollars only."

I had the opportunity of taking part in the second phase of this program and my task was mainly:

Recheck the sight of school children visited during the first phase.
Do refraction error correction for those with poor vision and providing eye glasses with very low cost ($5).
Provide treatment for children with eye disease.
Give necessary advice to parents

Finally, I wish to express our sincere thanks for KIKUYU eye unit of Kenya for the training and support they had given to Hargeisa and Borama eye units. We promise to work hard to make this program successful as ever.

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