900 diabetic patients have had their vision screened since the establishment of the diabetic retinopathy screening service at St. Joseph Enhanced Health Facility in June 2022.
This is according to the North Central Regional Health Authority which said its goal is to prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases.
General Manager of Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Abdul Hamid, said the diabetic retinopathy screening service is a collaboration between primary care services, the ophthalmology department, graders, and nursing professionals, who all facilitated expedited clinic reviews, referrals for vitreoretinal surgery, and immediate laser surgery where necessary.
Dr. Hamid said they also encourage direct referrals from other chronic disease clinics such as endocrinology, cardiology, and renal, where diabetic retinopathy is prevalent.
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases plaguing this country and can adversely affect many organs in the body.
