Ray of Hope: Thousands in Bukedea turn up to access free eye care by Ruparelia Foundation.

The three day eye care medical camp that kicked off on Friday witnessed thousands of people from the communities  from Bukedea district and the surrounding areas line up for free eye care of different eye cases  at Bukedea Teaching Hospital.

The eye care medical camp has been of organised by the Ruparelia Foundation together with partners and friends of the Ruparelia family to move forward the late Rajiv’s legacy of community outreach programs.

The camp now entering the 2^nd day is expected to end on March 29  aimed at providing  over 300 cataract surgeries (including 50 for children), over 1,000 free pairs of glasses (reading and corrective) and free eye screenings and consultations, among others.

Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, while talking to journalists said at the RR Eye Camp expressed great feeling about the camp highlighting that it makes him realize how impactful the foundation to the community by restoring  eye sight to the old and the young.

“ This is our 4th item in the country, Its quite thrilling to see  somebody who has not see with his eyes for 10, 15  years, there is nothing better for somebody to see the grand children.  We expected about 500 people and we are ready, we may run this for about 2 years next is Kasese” he told the media

Eye problems in Uganda are a major public health concern, with untreated cataracts causing nearly 50% of bilateral blindness. Other major issues include glaucoma, uncorrected refractive errors, and childhood blindness. Key challenges include limited access to specialists, equipment shortages, and high treatment costs.

The eye care camp was organised with other partners including  Mulago National Referral Hospital and C-Care, among others to provide range of free services such as eye screenings, cataract surgeries, and distribution of corrective glasses to both adults and children.