Private Public Partnerships: CBM Supports Construction of Modern Eye Unit In Kenya

In less than a year CBM and partners have built a modern eye unit in Kenya in Kajiado County Referral Hospital. The Eye Unit foundation stone was laid by the County Governor Hon. Joesph Ole Lenku courtesy of Vision Impact Project in October 2022 during the World Sight Day. The implementing partner, Operation Eyesight Universal made a commitment to deliver the project in 6 months. The construction project ended after six months and was ready for occupancy after June 2023.

The unit which is expected to serve approximated population of 1.1m people (KPHS 2019), will act as a referral center for other primary facilities. The completion of this Unit is a clear demonstration of how public private partnership can ensure projects are completed in time. The construction project was jointly supervised by the implementing partner Operation Eyesight Universal, CBM team from Kenya Country Office and County Government project delivery team. The unit has 3 consultations rooms, an optical room, diagnosis room equipped with state of the art diagnostic equipment such as OCT machine, Yag-Lasers among others, theatre and pharmacy.

The eye unit was launched by Deputy Governor, Kajiado County representing the County Governor in the presence of CBM Chief Executive Officer Dr. Peter Schießl and CBM Country Director David Munyendo. While launching the unit the Deputy Governor Hon. Martin Moshisho did reiterate that access to affordable, quality eye care services was integral to the achievement of universal health coverage since good vision is part of being healthy. While giving his remarks, Dr. Peter Schießl encouraged the County Government ensure optimum use of the facility.

The Deputy Governor remarked that in the last one year, routine hospital data ranks eye conditions as number five among the top ten causes of morbidity’ and with the launch of the facility this will be managed. The chief also lauded the ongoing community and school screenings which has improved access eye services across the county and emphasized that this demonstrates the spirit of promoting primary healthcare in the county.

The function was also attended by Operation Eyesight Universal Country Director, Alice Mwangi, Dr. Ritu Ghosh Global Technical Director and Yashwant Sinha Head of Programs.