Lodwar – July 21, 2026 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The Lodwar County and Referral Hospital (LCRH) today hosted a delegation from the Fred Hollows Foundation on a learning visit aimed at strengthening the existing partnership while exploring new opportunities to improve access to quality eye care services across Turkana.

The delegation was led by the Foundation’s Country Director, Peter Milo, accompanied by North Rift Regional Coordinator Dr. Ben Collo. They were received by the County Head of Surgical Services, Dr. Khalid Hassan, and the County Eye Care Services Coordinator, Dr. Samson Lokele.

The visit focused on reviewing the progress made through the partnership while identifying priority areas for future collaboration, particularly in expanding eye care services to underserved communities.

Speaking during the meeting, Peter Milo reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to supporting Turkana’s eye health programme over the next five years.

“We have been here before and we will continue to be here. We remain committed to supporting the county, especially in strengthening eye care services,” he said.

Dr. Lokele highlighted the county’s efforts to decentralize eye care services through satellite eye clinics across Turkana to bring services closer to communities. The proposal was welcomed by the Foundation as a key area for future collaboration.

Dr. Ben Collo noted that the Foundation is keen on advancing eye health as a social and economic development priority through workforce development, better use of data for advocacy, and integration of eye care into the broader health system.

He further commended Turkana’s progress in eliminating trachoma, noting that the county has reduced the disease prevalence from 42.3% in 2011/2012 to below the WHO’s threshold of 5%, placing the county on its course for trachoma-free validation.

Dr. Khalid Hassan appreciated the longstanding partnership, citing the Foundation’s contribution towards skills development, infrastructure improvement and provision of eye care equipment across health facilities in the county.

The meeting was also attended by the Fred Hollows Program Officer Collins Ogada, Regional Finance Office representative Moses Onganga, Program Support Officer Abraham Eweet , alongside Mourine Omuse and Philip from the LCRH Eyecare Unit.