Meets Global Partners Ahead of Eye Health Conference in Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya - - Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale met international eye care partners, led by Moses Chege, to review preparations for the 2030 In Sight Live Conference scheduled for 4– in Kenya.
Organised by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, the conference will convene global leaders, practitioners and innovators to accelerate efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2030. It will also set the stage for the Global Summit for Eye Health later in November in Antigua and Barbuda.
The CS underscored the critical role of partners including development agencies, professional associations, civil society, faith-based organisations and the private sector in advancing eye health through collaboration.
Kenya has made significant progress, with blindness prevalence declining from 0.7% in 1990 to 0.37% in 2023, driven by expanded cataract surgical services, improved specialist coverage across 40 of 47 counties, strengthened school-based eye health programmes, and elimination of trachoma in several regions.
Despite these gains, challenges remain, including shortages and uneven distribution of skilled personnel, particularly in underserved and ASAL areas, as well as financial and geographical barriers to access. Through the Social Health Authority (SHA), eye care services are included, with optical and specialised care packages under review.
Kenya remains committed to achieving World Health Organization 2030 targets, including increasing effective cataract surgical coverage by 30% and expanding refractive error coverage by 40%, supported by strengthened workforce capacity, improved infrastructure, sustainable financing, and enhanced multi-sector collaboration.