No opticians in Manicaland hospitals
MANICALAND does not have a single optician in all its public health institutions, leaving patients in need of expert eye diagnosis and medical care at the mercy of expensive private service providers, The Manica Post has learnt.
Apparently, the province also does not have an expert who deals with the removal of cataracts after the only one who was stationed at Sakubva Eye Unit, a Dr Chirunga, retired last year.
As experts in different health care fields leave for greener pastures, Manicaland has been left to depend on ophthalmic nurses in the absence of opticians.
Opthlamic nurses receive basic training on handling eye patients and are normally recruited with five Ordinary Level passes, a Diploma in General Nursing, a current practicing certificate and two years’ experience as a general nurse..
A minimum of three months experience in ophthalmic department is an added advantage for recruitment.
The Manica Post understands that there are two experts currently stationed at Sakubva Eye Unit whose presence is through a partnership with a development partner.
They are also covering different parts of the province through outreach programmes.
Last week, they were in Nyanga District while they are at Birchenough Bridge this week.
Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Simon Nyadundu confirmed that there are no opticians in the province.
“We do not have qualified opticians in any of our public health institutions. We are relying on 25 ophthalmic nurses. The distribution of the ophthalmic nurses we have in Manicaland is Mutare (eight), Chipinge (two), Buhera (four); Makoni (two), Mutasa (four), Nyanga (two) and Chimanimani (two). That is what we have on the ground,” said Dr Nyadundu.
Eye patients interviewed by this newspaper were of the opinion that the absence of experts in public institutions is an extra cost for them since they now have to contend with exorbitant costs charged in private institutions.
It costs around US$30 to consult an optician in private health institutions, while public institutions charge around $120 in local currency for the same service.
Mr Pumulani Mhlanga (78) of Dangamvura said: “We are used to getting services from local private institutions. It is expensive and there is really nothing we can do because we need the service. We just have to pay for it.”
Ms Chido Sithole of Sakubva said: “I am one of the few lucky ones with children who can fund my medical bills but this is very expensive. We really hope and pray that we will get these services in public institutions soon.”