Eighty-six inmates at Lira Central Government Prison have benefited from a free eye care programme that provided reading glasses to prisoners suffering from low vision, in an effort to improve access to medical services within correctional facilities.
The initiative was carried out through a partnership between Lira Regional Referral Hospital and the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, with health workers conducting eye screenings among inmates to identify different visual impairments and other eye-related conditions.
Medical experts say eye complications remain a major challenge in prisons across Uganda, where overcrowding, poor diets, injuries, and inadequate specialised treatment continue to affect inmates’ health.
Research conducted in various prisons has shown that conditions such as presbyopia, allergic conjunctivitis, and cataracts are among the most common eye problems reported by prisoners.
Officials involved in the outreach noted that inmates diagnosed with cataracts during the screening exercise will be referred for surgery at Lira Regional Referral Hospital to restore their sight and improve their quality of life.
Isaac Ekwan, the Eye Care Programs Manager at the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, said the programme seeks to ensure that vulnerable groups, including inmates, are not excluded from essential eye care services.
Meanwhile, the Acting Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Andrew Odur, disclosed that the hospital is planning to establish an eyeglass production workshop to increase access to affordable visual aids in the region.
According to him, the planned facility will reduce the costs and long journeys many patients endure while seeking specialised eye care services.
Prison authorities welcomed the support, saying improved eyesight among inmates will positively impact their daily activities and general well-being while in custody.
Dr Shamiim Namwase, who heads the Ophthalmology Department at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, urged both inmates and members of the public to observe proper eye hygiene and avoid unsafe traditional remedies that may worsen eye conditions.
The hospital has in recent months intensified community eye care outreaches across the Lango sub-region.
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