NYAMASHEKE LAUNCHES EYE SCREENING CAMPAIGN TARGETING 40,000 SCHOOLCHILDREN IN THE WESTERN PROVINCE
Western Province Governor Ntibitura Jean Bosco pictured with guests and students during the launch of the schoolchildren’s eye-screening campaign.
Nyamasheke District on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, officially launched a school-based eye screening programme targeting 40,000 children in 200 schools across the Western Province. The launch took place at GS St Paul Tyazo, with the Western Province Governor, Mr Ntibitura Jean Bosco, serving as the Guest of Honour.
The event brought together the Acting Mayor of Nyamasheke District, Mr Muneza Placide, representatives of Kabgayi Hospital's Ophthalmology Department, the Nyamasheke District Reserve Force Commander, health officials and other partners.
The initiative is implemented by See You Health Rwanda, with support from the See You Foundation, in partnership with Kabgayi Hospital's Ophthalmology Department, the Ministry of Health, the Western Province and other stakeholders.
The programme aims to prevent avoidable blindness among schoolchildren through early detection of eye conditions and timely access to appropriate treatment. Children diagnosed with serious eye conditions will be referred to Kabgayi Hospital for specialised treatment free of charge.
In addition, children receiving treatment at district hospitals will benefit from financial support covering the 10 per cent co-payment normally required from patients under the Community-Based Health Insurance scheme (Mutuelle de Santé).
According to Kabgayi Hospital's Ophthalmology Department, the programme is expected to achieve its objectives, as teachers, education officials at different administrative levels and healthcare professionals, including those at health centre level, have already received training on eye conditions and how to identify children who may require medical attention.
Officially launching the programme, Western Province Governor Mr Ntibitura Jean Bosco called upon education officials, teachers, students and parents to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and encourage children and the wider community to seek early eye examinations.
He emphasised that early screening would help identify and address eye conditions that could interfere with children's education.
"This will help us identify and address eye problems that may affect children's learning, ensuring that every child receives the support and treatment they need to continue learning, grow well and enjoy good overall health," he said.
At GS St Paul Tyazo, where 2,017 students are enrolled, an initial 269 children underwent eye screening. Depending on the conditions identified, some will receive treatment at health centres, others will be referred to district hospitals, while those requiring specialised care will be referred to Kabgayi Hospital.
The programme focuses on children below the age of 18 and is expected to reach approximately 40,000 schoolchildren across 200 schools in the Western Province.
Through early screening, timely referrals and access to treatment, the initiative seeks to safeguard children's eyesight, improve their learning experiences and promote their overall health and well-being.