Lamu residents to benefit as county opens eye unit, upgrades referral hospital
The Mokowe eye unit, the first in the county, was officially opened this week to provide consultations, treatment of eye conditions, surgical procedures, and vision assessments.
Lamu residents are set to benefit from improved healthcare services following the launch of a new eye unit at Mokowe Sub-County Hospital and a series of infrastructure upgrades at the Lamu County Referral Hospital.
The Mokowe eye unit, the first in the county, was officially opened this week to provide consultations, treatment of eye conditions, surgical procedures, and vision assessments.
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The facility also houses an optical shop established in collaboration with the Kenya Society for the Blind, offering prescription spectacles at subsidised rates.
Governor Issa Timamy said the new facility was aimed at reducing the burden of long-distance travel for eye care.
“Our aim is to make specialised care, including eye health, accessible at the grassroots. This facility will be a game-changer for the people of Lamu,” he said.
Eye care unit at Mokowe Sub-County Hospital. (Lamu County)
The County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr Mbarak Bahjaj, said the county was working towards decentralising health services. “We are focusing on bringing services closer to the people, especially in areas that have historically been underserved,” he noted.
Residents welcomed the development, though some expressed concerns over whether the new facility would be adequately staffed and maintained in the long term.
“I have had eye problems for three years. I hope this clinic will have enough doctors and not be another empty building,” said Rukia Bunu
Hussein Baraka said he previously had to suspend work for days whenever he travelled for treatment. “Now I can get help nearby, but I just hope they keep the charges affordable,” he said.
Separately, the Lamu County Referral Hospital in King Fahad also unveiled several new facilities, including a fully equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with five beds, three for adults and two for children, a 128-slice CT scanner, and a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant.
According to county officials, the upgrades are expected to reduce the number of referrals to Mombasa and Kilifi, where critical care services have historically been sought.
Eye care unit at Mokowe Sub-County Hospital. (Lamu County)
Fatuma Abdalla, a mother, said the new ICU could make a difference during emergencies. “My daughter was once referred to Kilifi because there was no ICU here. We lost time and money. This could help families like mine,” she said.
The hospital has also introduced five-bed private wards and an acute care room intended to improve service delivery and generate internal revenue.
While the changes have been widely welcomed, some residents questioned whether the county’s healthcare staffing levels could support the expanded services.
“We have seen buildings before, but if there are not enough skilled staff, it won’t help us,” said Rashid Ali.
Governor Timamy maintained that the upgrades align with the county’s Universal Health Coverage goals and the ongoing campaign to register residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA) for insured medical care.
While the developments signal progress in Lamu’s health sector, residents say consistent funding, staffing, and equipment maintenance will determine the long-term impact of the investments.
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