Lamu Residents to Benefit as County Opens Eye Unit, Upgrades Referral Hospital
Lamu residents are set to enjoy improved access to healthcare following the official opening of the county’s first-ever eye unit and major upgrades at the Lamu County Referral Hospital.
The new Mokowe eye unit, located at the Mokowe Sub-County Hospital, will offer services including eye consultations, treatment of common and complex eye conditions, vision assessments, and surgical procedures. It also houses an optical shop—developed in partnership with the Kenya Society for the Blind—offering prescription spectacles at subsidised prices.
Governor Issa Timamy lauded the initiative, emphasizing the importance of accessible specialised healthcare at the grassroots level. “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.
County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Mbarak Bahjaj, said the county was committed to decentralising healthcare services. “We are focusing on bringing services closer to the people, especially in areas that have historically been underserved,” he noted.
Residents welcomed the facility but raised concerns about long-term staffing and maintenance. “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, another resident, added, “Now I can get help nearby, but I just hope they keep the charges affordable.”
In a parallel development, the Lamu County Referral Hospital in King Fahad has launched a fully equipped five-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU)—with three beds for adults and two for children—a 128-slice CT scanner, and a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant.
Fatuma Abdalla, a mother from the area, praised the new ICU. “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.
Additional upgrades include the introduction of five-bed private wards and an acute care room aimed at boosting service delivery and generating internal hospital revenue.
Despite the positive reception, some residents expressed skepticism about the sustainability of the new infrastructure. “We have seen buildings before, but if there are not enough skilled staff, it won’t help us,” said Rashid Ali.
Governor Timamy assured residents that the developments align with the county’s Universal Health Coverage strategy and are part of a broader campaign to register residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA) for insured medical services.
While the infrastructure developments mark a major milestone in Lamu’s healthcare journey, the long-term impact will largely depend on consistent funding, adequate staffing, and proper equipment maintenance.
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Lamu Residents to Benefit as County Opens Eye Unit, Upgrades Referral Hospital