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Nakuru Eye Unit Development Program
Nakuru Eye Unit Development Program
Existing or expanding (post-pilot)
Country of Operation
Kenya
Target geography
Target Population
Target income level
- Bottom 20%
- Lower-middle income (20-40%)
- Middle-income (40-60%)
Health focus
- Eye care
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.
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.
This program works in the former Rift Valley Province and conducts 600 operations per year.
Scale
Financials
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