Tanzanians urged to conduct regular health check ups

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIANS have been advised to conduct regular health checkups to identify potential ailment at an early stage.

The remark was made on Thursday in Dar es Salaam by Head of Eye Department at the Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), Dr Katuta Ramadhani, during the commemoration of the 2024 World Glaucoma Week.

In commemorating the event which is expected to be climaxed tomorrow, CCBRT in collaboration with Kilwa Road Police Hospital have been conducting a free eye check-up and consultation to draw attention to Glaucoma disease, which can be treated and managed if detected earlier.

According to experts, Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It’s usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye.

Glaucoma can lead to loss of vision if it’s not diagnosed and treated early.

“I would like to encourage Tanzanians to build a culture of conducting regular health checkup and people aged 40 and above are at higher risk to being affected by glaucoma,” Dr Ramadhania asserted.

Adding: “Glaucoma is a silent thief…we often receive patients at an advanced stage of the disease and they don’t know whether they have the diseases.” He further said many people in the country are rarely go for routine sight check-ups, so detecting the disease in early stages is difficult.

“Glaucoma can also develop slowly, at first causing only peripheral vision loss, which can go unnoticed. By the time a patient notices a change in vision, the disease can be at a late stage,” he added.

He noted that CCBRT receives between 40-45 patients thrice a week.

“Glaucoma is a chronic disease requiring regular check-ups and management,” he underlined.

He also encourages his fellow clinicians in the field of eye to develop a culture of glaucoma screening. “Don’t miss the signs.

Do pressure and optic nerve checks on all your patients over 40, by default, you could save someone’s sight!” A free eye check-up clinic has been carried out at Magufuli Bus Stand, Mbezi Luis Dar es Salaam, since March 12 up to yesterday and, involved various people including upcountry bus drivers, passengers, petty traders, service providers, and the nearby residents where over 400 people have been consulted.