By Tolit Ivan
Outdated and faulty equipment is affecting the provision of quality eye care services at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital amidst rising cases.
Outdated and faulty equipment include diagnostic tools like slit lamps, tonometers for pressure, auto refractors, and ophthalmoscopes used to examine eye health.
The machines were donated 21 years ago by Lions Aid Norway to improve eye care services in the former war ravaged sub region. To date they have not been rehabilitated or upgraded due to lack of funds.
Dr Vicky Akun, Pediatric Ophthalmologist who is the Head of Eye Department at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, confirmed the reports saying most of their machines are outdated and faulty thus affecting service delivery.
Akun said they have written to the Ministry of Health requesting for modern eye equipment to provide quality eye care services in the region.
Reports by Gulu Regional Referral hospital indicate that 9,600 people are suffering from different eye conditions in Acholi Sub region.
The eye conditions include cataract, Glaucoma, refractive errors, age-related macular degeneration and conjunctivitis among others.
