Women of Pader, CFI strengthen partnership on eye care, disability support

14 August 2026, 5:26 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Women of Pader and Community Focus International are seeking to strengthen their partnership to improve access to eye care, disability support and other health services in Pader District.

The partnership was highlighted during a one-day eye-care mini-camp organised by Women of Pader with support from Community Focus International at the organisation’s compound in Olokilee, Acoro Parish, Pader District.

Bruce Aboga, the Director of Women of Pader, said the organisation’s vision is to transform lives by empowering communities socially, economically and spiritually.

Aboga said the partnership with Community Focus International is part of efforts to reach people facing various challenges and connect them to services that can improve their lives.

He said people with eye conditions requiring specialised treatment are referred to better-equipped health facilities for further management.

Aboga cited St Joseph’s Hospital in Kitgum Municipality and Dr Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital in Kalongo, Agago District, where patients can receive eye operations and other specialised treatment.

He said Women of Pader has also maintained a partnership with Ultimate Choice Clinic in Pader Town to help community members access treatment for other diseases.

Aboga said the organisation believes that addressing health challenges is an important part of its wider mission to transform communities.

Meanwhile, Benson Ocan, the Founder and Executive Director of Community Focus International, said the organisation plans to extend its support in Pader to persons with disabilities by providing wheelchairs, crutches and other assistive technology devices.

Ocan said potential beneficiaries will first undergo individual assessments before receiving the devices to ensure the equipment matches their specific needs.

He said a wheelchair or other assistive device should not simply be given to someone without first understanding their physical condition and requirements.

Ocan said Community Focus International also intends to train local personnel, including staff of Women of Pader, health workers and relevant district officials, to help bring services closer to people in need.

He said the organisation’s long-term approach is to build the capacity of local people and institutions rather than provide services indefinitely on its own.

Ocan said stronger cooperation with government stakeholders will be important in ensuring that services for persons with disabilities and people with vision problems are sustained within communities.

He also appealed to families and community members to support persons with disabilities, saying assistive devices alone cannot address all the challenges they face.

The two organisations said they will continue exploring areas of cooperation that can improve access to health, disability and other community-based support services in Pader District.