Hundreds of Kikambala residents in Kilifi County have benefited from an outreach eye camp seeking to improve healthcare access in the rural locality.
Up to 340 residents were screened, drawn largely from underserved communities, during the one-day medical camp conducted by Lions Medical Centre encouraging early diagnosis and preventive healthcare.
Many Kikambala residents continue to grapple with preventable yet untreated eye conditions, with cataracts remaining the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Congenital cataracts in children are often overlooked due to limited pediatric screening.
The medical camp, sponsored by Pwani Oil, saw 30 cataract surgeries carried out, including procedures on two children aged 14 months and six years, granting the recipients a renewed chance at sight.
“Our desire is to build healthier and stronger communities. By offering free, quality eye and health services, we are not only treating illness but also restoring dignity and enabling potential,” said Pwani Oil Commercial Director, Rajul Malde.
In addition to the eye surgeries, the outreach screened seven patients for diabetic-related eye complications, eight for high blood pressure, and dispensed 138 prescription glasses, significantly enhancing the quality of life for individuals who had been silently suffering from impaired vision.
Other common eye conditions in the region include refractive errors such as myopia and presbyopia, which are widespread yet frequently go undiagnosed due to high costs or the lack of accessible services.
The 2025 Economic Survey shows that the prevalence of eye infections and related conditions reported in health facilities has been on an upward trend, rising to 1.4 million cases and accounting for 2.2 percent of the total disease burden.
There has also been a rise in cases of diabetic retinopathy and hypertensive eye disease, both linked to increasing lifestyle-related conditions. These are a growing concern that require early detection and long-term monitoring.
In rural coastal environments, additional factors such as intense sunlight, dust, nutritional deficiencies, and limited community awareness further contribute to the burden of eye disease. If left unaddressed, these conditions drastically reduce productivity, learning ability, and overall well-being.
The free medical camp forms part of Pwani Oil’s broader sustainability strategy, which places people and the planet at the center of its operations.
“It is organizations like Pwani Oil, who are mindful of the welfare of others, that make a real difference in the lives of the underprivileged and needy, who would otherwise suffer in silence,” said Dr. Vinesh Vaghela, a representative from Lions Medical Centre.
Lions Medical Centre, renowned for its excellence in community eye health, mobilized its team of experts and mobile units to deliver high-quality care on-site.
Pwani Oil continues aligning its operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 of Good Health and Well-Being with the success of this medical camp illustrating how business can be a force for good.