Thousands benefit from free eye care as foundations strengthen Tanzania’s healthcare access

TANGA: For someone struggling to see clearly, the simple ability to read, work, move independently or recognise a loved one can feel like a privilege. Yet for many people, poor vision is not only a health problem but also a financial challenge, especially when specialised eye care is beyond their reach.

The three-day free eye treatment camp in Korogwe Town Council, Tanga Region has shown what becomes possible when essential healthcare is taken directly to the people who need it most.

The initiative, conducted by the Lalji Foundation and Baraka Foundation in collaboration with Vision 4 All Eye Center, brought eye examinations, medicines, reading glasses and surgical services closer to residents who might otherwise have struggled to obtain them. In total, 3,259 people were reached during the camp, making it an important intervention in addressing barriers to eye care.

The figures emerging from the exercise are particularly significant. Lalji Foundation Chairman Imtiaz Lalji said 333 patients underwent eye surgery during the three days. Among them, 291 were diagnosed with cataracts, while 39 had minor eye conditions requiring surgical treatment.

The camp also provided medicines to 1,723 residents according to their medical needs, while 1,706 received reading glasses. These numbers demonstrate both the immediate value of the intervention and the scale of unmet demand for eye health services within communities.

Cataract deserves particular attention because it is a major cause of avoidable blindness. It occurs when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, causing blurred or reduced vision. Although cataracts are commonly associated with ageing, they can also result from other factors. When clinically appropriate, cataract surgery can restore useful vision and significantly improve a person’s quality of life.

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The importance of early eye examinations therefore cannot be overstated. Many eye conditions can develop gradually, sometimes without pain or obvious warning signs. People may adapt to declining vision without realising that treatment is available. Regular examinations can help detect problems early and enable health professionals to recommend appropriate treatment.

The Korogwe initiative also highlights a broader challenge: geographical and financial barriers can prevent people from obtaining healthcare when they need it. Rural and low-income communities can face particular difficulties when specialised services are concentrated in distant urban facilities. Transport costs, consultation fees, medicine expenses and surgical charges can discourage patients from seeking care until their conditions become more serious.

Imtiaz Lalji said the foundation would continue working with the government to help Tanzanians access free eye treatment, citing the continuing burden of eye diseases. He observed that the figures recorded during the camp demonstrated the scale of the challenge and noted that rural residents are among those most affected by limited and delayed access to eye care.

That observation deserves serious attention. A temporary medical camp can provide essential relief, but long-term improvement requires a health system capable of delivering continuous eye care close to where people live. Outreach programmes can complement permanent services, particularly in communities where specialist healthcare remains difficult to access.

The government, development partners, charitable organisations and private healthcare providers should therefore continue exploring practical partnerships that expand eye services. Such cooperation can help increase screening, strengthen referral systems, improve access to surgery and ensure that patients receive
appropriate follow-up care after treatment.

Korogwe Town Council Director Zahara Msangi thanked the Lalji Foundation and Baraka Foundation for responding to residents’ needs by bringing eye services to the council. She said the intervention was particularly valuable because residents were able to receive examinations, medicines, glasses and surgery without paying
for the services.

This is an important lesson in public health. Removing financial barriers can encourage people to seek care earlier instead of postponing treatment because of cost. However, free services must also be accompanied by public education so communities understand when and where to seek help.

Tanga Regional Eye Services Coordinator Dr Husein Abassy described bringing the services to Tanga as an important step towards reaching people in need, particularly those experiencing difficulties accessing timely eye care. His assessment reinforces the need for continued investment in services that reach underserved populations.

The beneficiaries themselves provided perhaps the clearest evidence of the camp’s value. Some said the intervention enabled them to obtain treatment they might otherwise have struggled to afford because of associated costs. Their appreciation was accompanied by a call for other institutions, organisations and stakeholders to work with the government to improve citizens’ health and wellbeing.

Their appeal should not be ignored. Eye health affects much more than an individual’s ability to see. Poor vision can affect education, employment, mobility, independence and family wellbeing. For older people, impaired vision can increase dependence on relatives and make everyday activities more difficult. For children, undetected vision problems can interfere with learning and development.

Simple measures can make a difference. People should seek professional eye examinations, particularly when they experience persistent blurred vision, difficulty reading, eye pain, unusual redness, sudden changes in vision or other concerning symptoms. Individuals should also avoid using medicines or eye drops without appropriate professional advice.

Protecting eye health also involves broader healthy-living practices. Managing conditions that can affect vision, following medical advice and protecting the eyes from injury or excessive exposure to harmful conditions can contribute to better eye health. Most importantly, people should not assume that deteriorating vision is simply an unavoidable part of ageing.

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The Korogwe camp should therefore be recognised for what it represents: immediate assistance to thousands of people and a reminder of the continuing need for accessible healthcare. Its success also demonstrates the value of cooperation between community-focused organisations and government health structures.

The Lalji Foundation’s commitment to continue working with the government and other stakeholders to reach people in need is encouraging. Such efforts can help complement government programmes while bringing specialised services to communities that may otherwise remain underserved.

But the ultimate goal should go beyond periodic camps. Tanzania needs stronger, accessible and sustainable eye-care services at different levels of the health system. Community awareness, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment and follow- up should form a connected chain so that patients do not fall through gaps in the
system.

The 3,259 residents reached in Korogwe represent more than a statistic. They represent families, workers, parents, children and older people whose ability to see and function affects the wider community. The 333 surgeries, 1,723 medicine recipients and 1,706 people who received reading glasses show what targeted intervention can accomplish when healthcare is taken closer to those who need it.

The message is clear: restoring sight can restore independence, opportunity and dignity. Tanzania should therefore encourage and strengthen initiatives that remove barriers to eye care while building permanent capacity to meet demand.

Free medical camps cannot replace a strong public health system, but they can expose hidden needs, provide immediate relief and demonstrate where investment is urgently required. Korogwe has offered precisely that lesson.

The challenge now is to ensure that the momentum does not end when the camp closes. Communities across Tanzania deserve timely, affordable and quality eye care. Through sustained government commitment and responsible partnerships, that goal can become increasingly achievable.