How free eye camps quietly change lives in Karagwe

KAGERA: Imagine waking up each morning with blurry vision, squinting to see your grandchildren’s faces, or struggling to read your schoolbooks, and you know help exists, but it is far too expensive to afford. That is the silent reality for thousands of people living with untreated eye problems across Tanzania. But in Karagwe District, Kagera …

KAGERA: Imagine waking up each morning with blurry vision, squinting to see your grandchildren’s faces, or struggling to read your schoolbooks, and you know help exists, but it is far too expensive to afford.

That is the silent reality for thousands of people living with untreated eye problems across Tanzania. But in Karagwe District, Kagera Region, something extraordinary just happened.

No, it was not a political rally. It was better. Over the course of four bright and busy days, a whopping 1,600 people received free eye care services, including screening, surgery, and glasses-thanks to a collaborative medical camp organized by LALJI FOUNDATION and Supa Foam Mattresses.

And no, you didn’t misread that. A mattress company helped people see better. The initiative was not just about charity; it was a powerful boost to public health and an important complement to the government’s efforts to reach underserved populations.

The camp was set up at the request of the Minister for Home Affairs and Karagwe Member of Parliament, Innocent Bashungwa, who clearly knows that a healthy constituency is a productive one.

According to Karagwe District Hospital Medical Officer-in-Charge Dr Karim Abdul, the camp’s biggest surprise was the sheer number of people who had delayed treatment, especially the elderly.

“Many of our residents live with eye conditions for years without treatment. Some just lose their sight completely because they believe nothing can be done,” said Dr Abdul.

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“In children, we saw many cases of inherited conditions, while the elderly mostly suffer from issues that could have been treated earlier if caught in time.” And therein lies the problem. Good vision does not just affect personal quality of life, it impacts education, employment, and independence.

When a parent can’t work because they can’t see, or a child struggles in school because the blackboard is a blur, families suffer, and communities fall behind. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: eye care, like many forms of specialized healthcare, is expensive.

For many Tanzanians, particularly in rural districts like Karagwe, seeking help from an optometrist or eye surgeon is a luxury they simply cannot afford.

“That’s why this camp is such a big deal,” explained Karagwe District Commissioner Julius Laizer, who attended the event to show his support and probably to sneak in a free eye check of his own. “The huge turnout shows just how much people need this. We thank LALJI FOUNDATION and Supa Foam for stepping in where our public health system faces constraints.” He was not wrong.

If you ever needed proof that free health initiatives matter, consider this: 1,600 patients in just four days. That is more than 400 people per day and each receiving sight-saving or life-improving care they otherwise wouldn’t have had access to. And none of them had to pull out their wallet.

So, who do we thank for this sight-saving extravaganza? Enter Mr. Mohsin Lalji Sheni, a businessman with an unusual combination of passions: sleep and sight. As the director of both Supa Foam Mattresses and LALJI FOUNDATION, Sheni has become something of a hero in the health outreach world.

“This is not just a onetime event,” said Sheni, smiling behind a pair of very well-fitted spectacles. “The demand is overwhelming, and we see it every time we organize a camp. That is why we plan to expand to other districts too.” His call to action? Simple and powerful: “We need more institutions and individuals to come forward and help the government in delivering specialist care where it’s most needed.” And he’s right. In a country where specialized doctors are in short supply, and health budgets are stretched thin, partnerships like these are not just helpful, they are critical.

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Changing the script on public health If you think this is just about giving out free glasses, think again. The services provided at the Karagwe camp included screening for serious eye diseases, surgical interventions for cataracts and other conditions, and the distribution of corrective eyewear.

This is not just a handout. It is healthcare equity in action. When people can see clearly, they can learn, work, and thrive. That is why these kinds of outreach programs should not be treated as temporary charity projects but rather as long-term investments in Tanzania’s human capital.

The ripple effect reaches into classrooms, markets, homes, and offices. The government has made strides in improving public healthcare, but the system faces real challenges: limited funding, healthcare worker shortages, and logistical barriers in remote areas. Camps like this are not only a form of relief—they are a form of public-private partnership that directly supports government policy.

In fact, Minister Bashungwa’s involvement highlights how elected officials can leverage partnerships to meet their constituents’ health needs. It is a model worth replicating nationwide. What beneficiaries had to say It wasn’t just officials and doctors making speeches. Many of the beneficiaries, some of whom were receiving eye care for the first time in their lives were full of gratitude. One elderly woman (who preferred to remain unnmaed), who had surgery to remove a cataract, said: “I can finally see my grandchildren clearly again. I never thought this day would come.” Another patient, a 12-year-old boy fitted with glasses, couldn’t stop grinning.

“Now I can read my books in school without squinting,” he said.

So, what’s next? According to LALJI FOUNDATION, this is only the beginning. The plan is to continue hosting similar camps across the country, adapting based on community needs and feedback.

And while the focus now is eye health, there’s potential for broader outreach—including dental care, maternal health, and chronic disease screening. If every district could host even one free medical camp per year, the impact on national health statistics would be profound. Karagwe’s free eye camp reminds us that when people come together namely private businesses, nonprofits, government leaders, and ordinary citizens-big things can happen.

Sight can be restored, hope can be renewed, and lives can be transformed. So, next time you pass a mattress ad or see someone adjusting their spectacles, think of the 1,600 people in Karagwe who can now see a brighter future