More than 3,000 residents of Siha District in Kilimanjaro Region have received free eye care services through a life-changing medical outreach program jointly organized by the Dr. Godwin Mollel Foundation and the Mo Dewji Foundation.
Valued at TSh 800 million, the initiative offered a range of services including eye examinations, surgeries, medication, and eyeglasses all at no cost to the beneficiaries.
The medical camp, held at Siha District Hospital, is part of an ongoing effort to extend quality healthcare to underserved communities, particularly those facing financial barriers to treatment.
Speaking during the event on May 4, 2025, Deputy Minister for Health and Executive Director of the foundation, Dr. Godwin Mollel, called on residents of Kilimanjaro and nearby regions to make the most of the opportunity while the services are still being offered.
“This initiative reflects our shared commitment to making healthcare accessible to all Tanzanians, regardless of their economic situation,” said Dr. Mollel.
“By working with the Mo Dewji Foundation, we’re ensuring that people in rural and remote areas receive the eye care they desperately need completely free of charge.”
He emphasized that the outreach is a continuation of efforts to support the government’s broader mission to improve health services and reduce avoidable blindness across the country.
Dr. Mollel noted that untreated eye conditions remain a significant health issue, especially in rural communities where specialist care is often out of reach.
“Restoring a person’s vision doesn’t just improve their health it restores their dignity, productivity, and ability to support their families,” he added.
Many of the beneficiaries, some of whom had endured years of impaired vision, expressed heartfelt gratitude.
For them, the camp brought a renewed sense of hope and the chance to resume daily activities they had long struggled with.
The initiative highlights the growing role of public-private partnerships in strengthening Tanzania’s healthcare delivery.
Both foundations reaffirmed their commitment to expanding similar programs to other regions in the coming months, ensuring more Tanzanians can access life-changing medical services.