By David Mwanje
A dynamic youth-led organization Ubora Foundation Africa, partnered with UK-based Eye Health Africa to host a transformative symposium. The event, a culmination of a 16-month project funded by The Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET), celebrated groundbreaking strides in combating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of blindness in preterm infants. Held at a vibrant conference center, the symposium united health workers, UK specialists, and Ministry of Health representatives to share successes and chart a future for eye care in Uganda.
The project, launched in February 2024, transformed Hoima Regional Referral Hospital into a hub for ROP diagnosis and treatment. By training health workers and equipping the facility with cutting-edge tools, the initiative empowered local teams to save infant vision. UK specialists, through hands on mentorship, elevated skills in detecting and managing ROP, a condition affecting fragile preterm babies.
Elias Musime, CEO of Ubora Foundation Africa, hailed the partnership’s impact. “Our collaboration with Eye Health Africa and THET has been a game-changer,” he said. “We’ve not only trained health workers but brought in global expertise to ensure no child loses their sight to ROP.” Musime stressed the need for ongoing support, noting that early detection and lifestyle changes like managing diabetes and hypertension can prevent many eye diseases.
Among the project’s beneficiaries are Alex Waibi and Denis Kakeeto, two preterm infants whose lives were touched by this initiative. Alex, born at 28 weeks in kikuube, faced a high risk of ROP. Thanks to the project’s enhanced screening, his condition was caught early, and timely laser treatment preserved his vision. His mother, Sarah, tearfully shared, “I thought my son would never see my face. Now, he smiles at me every day.” Denis, born at 30 weeks, also benefited from the program’s oxygen management equipment, which stabilized his condition, preventing severe ROP. His father, Joseph, expressed gratitude: “This project gave my boy a future. I can’t thank the team enough.”
Primrose Magala, CEO of Eye Health Africa and a senior ophthalmic nurse at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital, brought a personal passion to the symposium. Reflecting on her Ugandan roots, she contrasted Moorfields’ advanced care with the desperation she witnessed back home, particularly among cataract patients. “Cataracts cause over 50% of blindness in Uganda,” Magala noted, citing WHO data. “We’ve trained more ophthalmologists, but we need more specialists and equipment to make Uganda a center of excellence for eye care.” Her vision is bold: a sustainable, self-sufficient eye care system where ophthalmic nurses and clinical officers deliver world-class treatment.
The symposium buzzed with optimism as partners discussed scaling up efforts. Magala called for more collaborators to join the mission, emphasizing sustainability. “We’re not just treating eyes; we’re building a future where every Ugandan child can see,” she said. The event showcased the project’s impact: at Hoima, trained health workers screened over 200 infants, reducing severe ROP cases significantly, mirroring results from a similar Kampala study where severe ROP dropped from 27.8% to 12.8% post-intervention.
Musime echoed the call for action, urging donors and the Ministry of Health to invest in specialized equipment. “With the right tools and training, we can prevent blindness and transform lives,” he said. For Alex and Denis, the project is a lifeline, ensuring they grow up with the gift of sight. As the symposium closed, the message was clear: through partnerships and perseverance, Uganda is on track to become a leader in African eye care, illuminating futures one child at a time.
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