MP Yusuf Hassan recounts father's near-blindness as Lions Eye Hospital marks one year in Eastleigh
Yusuf Hassan said his father's experience shaped his belief that eye care should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it, stressing that screening and treatment should be accessible without financial barriers.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan has recalled a time when his father faced the prospect of blindness, an experience that underscored the profound impact sight has on independence, dignity and daily life.
Speaking during the first anniversary of Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital's Eastleigh branch, where he was the chief guest, Yusuf said the possibility of losing vision weighed heavily on his father as his eyesight deteriorated.
With specialised eye care scarcely available at the time, his father made the long journey to South Africa for cataract surgery, a procedure that restored his sight.
“He told me he would rather lose his arms and legs than become blind because, once you lose your sight, you also lose contact with your world and society,” Yusuf recalled, urging the Ministry of Health and medical insurance providers to give eye health greater priority.
He said his father's experience shaped his belief that eye care should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it, stressing that screening and treatment should be accessible without financial barriers.
Yusuf noted that specialised eye treatment can be costly and that some insurance schemes may not provide adequate cover. Yet, he said, cost should never stand in the way of seeking help, particularly when early diagnosis can make a significant difference.
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He added that eyesight is especially critical in pastoralist communities, where people depend on their vision to care for livestock, move across vast areas and sustain their livelihoods. Losing sight can therefore affect not only individuals but also the families that depend on them.
The MP also pointed to changing lifestyles as more people from pastoralist backgrounds settle in urban areas. Changes in diet, physical activity and daily routines can increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which can also affect eyesight.
Yusuf urged health authorities to respond to these changing needs through public education, prevention and early diagnosis.
“The health ministries and medical personnel should adjust to the health needs of their communities,” he said.
His call for early intervention was echoed by doctors at Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, who warned that some eye conditions can progress silently, without pain or noticeable changes in vision. Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, gradually damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain.
According to Dr Ratchna, a person may continue with daily activities while slowly losing peripheral vision, the ability to see objects to the side while looking straight ahead. As the disease progresses, the field of vision narrows, sometimes leaving a person seeing as though through a tunnel. By the time the change becomes noticeable, permanent damage may already have occurred.
“Once glaucoma is diagnosed on time, we can intervene. But once a person becomes blind from glaucoma, the vision that has been lost usually cannot be restored,” she said.
Dr Ratchna identified glaucoma as a significant concern within the Somali community and called for greater awareness about the importance of regular screening.
Dr Ali Hassan, a specialist at the hospital, also described glaucoma as a silent sight stealer. He explained that when fluid inside the eye fails to drain properly, pressure can build up and damage the optic nerve.
The condition may run in families, develop after an eye injury or be present from birth. Dr Ali urged residents to have their eye pressure checked and undergo comprehensive eye examinations instead of assuming their eyes are healthy simply because they can see clearly.
Dr Ali Hassan, a specialist at Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, speaking on glaucoma. (Photo: Charity Kilei)Dr Ali also highlighted the link between diabetes and eye disease, noting that high blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Left undetected and unmanaged, these changes can result in serious vision problems.
People living with diabetes should therefore undergo regular eye examinations even when they have no pain, blurred vision or other noticeable symptoms.
Depending on the type and severity of glaucoma, treatment may involve medication, laser procedures or surgery to control eye pressure and slow further damage. However, treatment generally cannot restore sight already lost to the disease, making early diagnosis essential.
The hospital’s Eastleigh branch was established to bring specialised healthcare closer to residents who might otherwise have to travel elsewhere for treatment. Its services include eye examinations, optical care, a pharmacy, laboratory services and a surgical centre offering specialised eye treatment.
The facility also provides ear, nose and throat services, including access to an ENT specialist and hearing aids, alongside screening and care for diabetes and high blood pressure.
During the anniversary celebrations, the hospital’s chairman reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality eye care at affordable prices.
For business community secretary Omar Hussein, having specialised services in Eastleigh gives residents the opportunity to seek treatment before eye problems become severe. He encouraged residents to take advantage of screening services, noting that a simple examination could identify a problem before it threatens their sight.
“Screening can save your sight. Why not come and get screened if it could save your eyes? Your eyes are your life,” he said.
However, Omar noted that the presence of a hospital does not mean everyone can afford treatment. He called on healthcare providers and community members to support residents who cannot meet the cost of care.
Senior management, leaders and doctors at Lions Sight First Eye Hospital during the one-year celebration“There are people who are less privileged and cannot afford treatment. We need to take care of them. Even taking time to help someone in our neighbourhood can make a very big difference,” he said.
The hospital also conducts periodic free screening exercises, announced through its social media platforms, giving residents opportunities to have their eyes checked.
Beyond healthcare, Yusuf reflected on Eastleigh’s transformation from a neighbourhood once hampered by poor infrastructure and insecurity into a thriving commercial hub attracting businesses, banks, healthcare facilities and traders from across the region.
He said the area’s growth has created employment and business opportunities while bringing together people from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. He also recalled the influence of the Asian community during his upbringing, including Indian music, films, food and businesses that formed part of everyday life.
Yusuf said improvements in healthcare should form part of this broader development. As lifestyles change and chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure become increasingly significant public health concerns, communities need access to information, screening and timely treatment.
As Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital marks the first anniversary of its Eastleigh branch, doctors are urging residents not to wait until their eyesight deteriorates before seeking help.
Regular eye examinations can identify problems that might otherwise go unnoticed, while early treatment can help protect vision and preserve independence.
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