When 67-year-old Hussein Mohammed from Kulamwe opened his eyes after cataract surgery, the world looked brighter. For five years, he had lived in a blur, relying on others to guide his every step. “I can now see clearly again without having to travel far or spend much money,” he said, smiling as he gazed at the faces of relatives he could finally recognize once more.
Hussein is one of hundreds of residents of Garbatulla Sub-County whose sight has been restored through a free eye care initiative spearheaded by the County Government of Isiolo in partnership with Operation Eye Sight Universal and supported by Johnson and Johnson.
The program, anchored at the newly refurbished Garbatulla Level 4 Hospital Eye Unit, is part of a broader vision by Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo to bring specialized healthcare closer to the people and end preventable blindness across the county.
Within just a few months of operation, the impact has been remarkable. Between April and October, 850 free cataract surgeries were performed on patients aged between 50 and 105 years. More than 2,300 others received treatment for various eye conditions, and 500 spectacles were issued to those in need.
Among those transformed is 58-year-old Osman Hache, a father who had been blind for ten years due to bilateral cataracts. Once dependent on his children for daily tasks, Osman can now walk unaided through the dusty streets of Garbatulla.
“I thought I would die without seeing again,” he said quietly. “But these doctors brought me back to life. I can now work, pray, and see my grandchildren.”
His surgery was performed by Dr. Adan Mohamed, Garbatulla Hospital’s first ophthalmologist, leading a dedicated team of eye care specialists and nurses. Together, they have turned what was once an under-equipped ward into a beacon of medical hope.
The partnership’s impact extends beyond hospital walls. Mobile outreach programs are being conducted in remote health centres such as Gafarsa, bringing free cataract surgeries and screening services to residents who would otherwise have no access to specialized care.
Operation Eye Sight Universal Country Director, Ms. Caroline Ikumu, reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting Isiolo’s efforts. “Our goal is to prevent avoidable blindness and ensure that no one is left behind because of vision loss. The more communities embrace these services, the more we can expand our reach,” she said.
Plans are already underway to extend the program to Sericho and Modogashe, two areas where eye diseases linked to harsh environmental conditions and long-term sun exposure are common.
Under Governor Guyo’s leadership, Isiolo has embarked on a deliberate journey to strengthen its healthcare system through equipping hospitals, training medical staff, and establishing specialist units in rural sub-counties. The Garbatulla Eye Unit now stands as a model of how targeted partnerships can change lives in frontier regions.
As patients stream in and out of the new ward, one message is clear: sight is more than just vision; it is independence, dignity, and hope.
For people like Hussein and Osman, the gift of sight has rewritten their story. And for Isiolo County, it marks another milestone in a growing legacy of compassionate, community-centered healthcare.