Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

Nakuru Eye Unit Development Program

last updated Jun 22, 2012

Overview

Implementing organization: 
The Fred Hollows Foundation
Implementation Partner(s): 
Chief Government Ophthalmologist, the Ministry of Health, the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital and Sight Savers International
Legal Status: 
Private (unspecified)
Year Launched: 
2004
Stage: 
Existing/expansion stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
Bottom 20%, 20-60% (lower to lower-middle)

Funding

Primary Source of Funding: 
Donor
Additional Source(s) of Funding: 
Out-of-pocket payments
Funders: 
AusAID

Scale

Number of Clients Served: 
600 operations per year
Summary: 

Nakuru Eye Unit Development Program assists in building the capacity of existing health services as well as to reduce the backlog and incidence of cataracts and other causes of blindness in Eastern Africa.

Key program components: 

This program has renovated the Eye Unit of the Rift Valley Regional Hospital and conducted outreach surgical clinics throughout Kenya. Support is provided to the annual Kenya National Ophthalmic Workshop which is attended by eye health personnel from throughout Kenya, and continuing support has been provided to the Ophthalmological Society of Eastern Africa's Journal and Annual Scientific Conference.

The Eye Unit is based on a private/public cost recovery model, where patients who are able to afford it, pay for their treatment. This then subsidizes patients who are unable to pay. This system presents an opportunity to try the first cost sustainable model in Kenya.

Resources needed to achieve success using this model include appropriate facilities and infrastructure, adequately trained staff, the provision of equipment and supplies, and efficient administrative support.

Program history: 

In 1995, with funding from AusAID, The Fred Hollows Foundation embarked on a vast training program in 11 African countries. The Foundation's Africa Cataract Microsurgical and IOL Training Program facilitated training for 131 local surgeons over four years. In late 2002, The Foundation started planning for a return to Eastern Africa. In 2003, the focus was on developing networks and relationships with relevant national leaders in ophthalmology, government officials, regional representatives and non-government organizations working in Kenya and the greater Eastern Africa region.

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