MILLICENT HUNGWE
The global call to “Love Your Eyes” echoed across Zaka District on October 17, as people gathered to commemorate World Sight Day.
The event, coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, brought together key partners including SolidarMed, Christian Blind Mission (CBM), and the Zimbabwe Council of the Blind, in a collective effort to promote eye health and raise awareness on the importance of regular eye check-ups.
The commemorations saw dozens of community members receiving basic eye screenings, as well as testing for diabetes and hypertension, facilitated by SolidarMed.
These services were provided free of charge, with the aim of identifying early warning signs of vision-threatening conditions often linked to chronic diseases.
Dr. Adrian Musengi, an ophthalmologist with SolidarMed emphasised to The Midweek Watch the organization’s ongoing commitment to strengthening eye health services in rural communities.
“Our goal is to ensure that no one loses their sight to preventable conditions,” said Dr. Musengi.
“Through screenings and community outreach, we are empowering people to take proactive steps in protecting their vision,” he added.
While SolidarMed’s hallmark fundoscopy screening used to detect diabetic retinopathy was not conducted on the day, Dr. Musengi noted that the organization continues to support local clinics in Masvingo Province through training, tele-diagnosis, and targeted interventions for eye care.
Since 2019, SolidarMed has led transformative work in diabetic retinopathy screening, empowering district ophthalmic nurses and introducing tele-diagnosis systems that enable remote assessments and timely referrals.
These innovations have made eye care more accessible to communities that were once underserved.
Participants at the Zaka event expressed appreciation for the outreach, noting that eye health is often neglected until it is too late.
The campaign’s theme, “Love Your Eyes,” resonated strongly, reminding everyone that vision is a gift worth safeguarding.
SolidarMed has been a leading force in eye health across rural Masvingo since 2019, pioneering diabetic retinopathy screening, training ophthalmic nurses, and promoting tele-diagnosis for faster referrals and treatment.
Over the last two years, more than 2,000 screenings have been conducted, supporting the global message that eye care is essential, especially for vulnerable communities.
The Zaka event was a vivid example of what collaboration can achieve in improving access to vision-saving services in underserved areas.
