Medical practitioners call for increased public awareness on preventable health issues

13 May 2025, 12:58 pm

By Philip Onyango 

Medical practitioners have called for increased public awareness by the government and civil society regarding health issues that can be prevented or managed effectively. 

They emphasise that simple incidents can lead to loss of life or permanent disabilities if the affected individuals, or their caretakers, do not know how to respond or where to seek help, particularly in the case of children. 

Dr. John Bosco Nsubuga, the Director of Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, provided an example of visual impairment cases, which often start as minor problems that can be easily treated with the right attention.

He spoke during an eye health dialogue themed “A Clear Future: Safeguarding Children’s Eye Health,” organised by Light for the World. 

Dr. Nsubuga also pointed out the need to address the availability, accessibility, and location of specialised health facilities, noting that while general health centers are well-known within communities, facilities dedicated to eye care are not as familiar. 

Experts reiterated that enhancing eye health begins with raising awareness, urging parents to prioritise eye examinations for their children. 

Dr. Rebecca Lusobya, an ophthalmologist and senior lecturer at Makerere University School of Medicine, emphasised the importance of a timely response in the prevention and treatment of blindness. Sylvester Kasozi, the Country Director of Light for the World, stressed the significance of creating an inclusive eye healthcare system, highlighting that for visually impaired individuals, especially children, the challenges extend beyond mobility to include learning and adaptation. 

Additionally, Dr. Naomi Nsubuga advocated for the empowerment of teachers to help them recognise signs of poor eyesight among the children they teach.