WAF-Dodoma: The government has continued to improve the provision of eye health services to children in the country by issuing national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of eye cancer as well as guidelines for primary eye health with the aim of enabling health professionals to identify patients early and provide timely referrals.
This was said, May 15, 2026 in Dodoma at the Benjamin Mkapa Referral Hospital by Dr. Eliud Eliakim who represented the Chief Government Surgeon, Dr. Grace Magembe at the national celebration of the week to raise awareness about eye cancer in children “Retinoblastoma” which began on May 10, 2026.
“The government continues to implement a five-year project worth 4.8 billion shillings aimed at reducing deaths and eye disabilities in children in the regions of Singida, Tabora, Arusha and Manyara in the first phase. This project is expected to increase the capacity of diagnostic and treatment services for eye diseases in children and strengthen protection against preventable blindness”, said Dr. Eliud.
He said international statistics show that out of every 16,000 to 18,000 live births, one child is born with Retinal Cancer, he stressed that the disease is treatable if it is detected early and the child is brought to health services on time.
Health service delivery statistics in the country show that 902 children suffering from eye cancer were treated at various health facilities in 2025, compared to 184 children who received care in 2024.
Dr. Eliud, concluding the speech of the Chief Medical Officer, called on various stakeholders to continue collaborating with the Government in strengthening eye health services for children to ensure that all children who need these services receive them on time and with the required quality.
And the Director of Preventive Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Hamad Nyembea said a total of 2,599,314 children under the age of five (5) were seen in regular clinics at the primary level, of which, 290,960 children had eye problems, of which 39 percent had non-communicable eye problems including eye injuries.
He added that the increase in non-communicable eye diseases requires significant investment to meet these needs, explaining that the Government continues to collaborate with stakeholders in ensuring that children are reached early with specialist and non-specialist eye services, including strengthening referral systems.
