Eye clinic opens in Rwamagana

Rwamagana- A new eye clinic was yesterday unveiled in Musha Sector of Rwamagana District. The clinic was financed by Montevecchi Domenicom, Revena, an Italian organisation to the tune of Rwf 330 million. The idea and campaign to construct the eye clinic was initiated in 2006 by Father Jean Bosco Gakirage. Gakirage, a Rwandan, who worked in Italy then, said that he mobilised funds from American and Italian doctor friends, while the local community provided labour for the construction. He said that the multi-million clinic is expected to provide specialised services, to people across the country and the region. He added that the clinic’s services would be a major boost towards the national campaign against blindness. “The construction took Rwf 250 million, whereas the equipment cost Rwf 80 million. It is a dream come true that high level eye-care will be conducted in Musha,” he said. “I had a sight problem when I was still very young...I thus made it a lifetime aim to help people from my place of birth, here in Musha, to access eye care services”. The Governor of Eastern province, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, who attended the launching of the clinic, said that she was humbled by the priest’s love for his people. Quoting some Biblical verses, she said the investment in such extraordinary services was of great importance to the people of Rwanda. “The eye clinic is in compliance with international standards...the priest has set a challenge to many Rwandans. We should all think critically to serve our people,” she said. Jean Nepomscene Ndahayo, 67, said the Father’s initiative to bring the eye clinic would benefit people in the rural area. “We used to spend lots of money and queue for days at CHUK in Kigali to get eye treatment...people in remote villages lose their eyesight due to lack of treatment. The arrival of the clinic is timely,” he said. Musha eye clinic has special equipment that will allow it to carry out complex eye surgeries. Ends