By Asha Elmi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 9 October 2026 Dr. Sumait Hospital, in partnership with Direct Aid and Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Human Services, has provided eye care to internally displaced people in Mogadishu camps, including more than 50 free cataract surgeries and over 410 eye screenings.
The initiative was part of activities marking World Sight Day, observed on Thursday, October 8, and aimed to improve access to eye care for vulnerable communities, including people living in displacement camps.
Dr. Sumait Hospital said its broader eye-care programme includes cataract surgery, vision screening, public awareness campaigns and training for health workers. The hospital also reported supporting more than 1,900 eye surgeries in 2026 through partnerships with Direct Aid, Deniz Feneri and Aftuder Charity.
World Sight Day activities also included a one-day ophthalmology workshop and training session at Primo Palace Hotel in Mogadishu, bringing together health professionals to discuss eye-care challenges and ways to strengthen services across Somalia.
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Participants highlighted gaps in eye-care provision, including shortages of ophthalmologists and other eye specialists in some regions. Discussions also focused on public awareness, the role of eye health in addressing noncommunicable diseases, and the need for stronger partnerships to make services more accessible.
The workshop, held under the theme “Love Your Eyes,” included training activities, a panel discussion on sustainable partnerships and the awarding of certificates to 50 participating students.
World Sight Day is observed annually to raise awareness of vision impairment and promote access to eye-care services. In Somalia, limited specialist capacity and barriers to healthcare access make outreach programmes particularly important for displaced people and other underserved communities.