After years of struggling with preventable blindness and costly travel for medical attention, the people of Greater Mundri are finally seeing hope literally.
The Sudan Evangelical Mission (SEM), in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM), has officially opened the first-ever eye clinic in Mundri West County, a move that promises to transform access to eye care and reduce rising cases of eye infections and blindness in the region.
The new facility, established at Mundri Primary Health Care Center, will offer diagnosis, treatment, and surgeries for common eye conditions, including cataracts, conjunctivitis, and river blindness (onchocerciasis) a disease that remains one of Western Equatoria’s most serious public health concerns.
Speaking during the launch, Mr. Goliver Matatia, a representative of SEM, said the project was born out of the growing need to address increasing eye infections and the lack of specialized treatment facilities.
“We have seen the suffering of our people in Greater Mundri. Many live with eye infections and blindness because they can’t afford to travel for treatment, the eye is one of the most important parts of the body, and we are grateful to our partners, CBM, for standing with us to restore sight and hope to our people,” Matatia said.
Specialists to Arrive for Surgical Operations, according to Mr. Stephen Sabah, the Eye Clinical Officer at Mundri PHCC, the facility has already begun screening patients, and more specialists will soon arrive to conduct advanced surgeries.
“We are expecting a team of eye specialists from Juba on October 23rd to carry out surgical operations,” Mr. Sabah revealed. “I encourage all community members who need surgery to come forward. We will make public announcements through local radio stations to ensure everyone is informed.”
He added that the clinic will also conduct community sensitization to promote eye health and prevent avoidable blindness through early detection.
The news has been met with overwhelming joy among the people of Mundri, many of whom have been traveling to Juba or neighboring countries for eye treatment.
Ms. Lilian Amona, a resident of Mundri, expressed her gratitude for the new facility:
“We used to spend a lot of money traveling outside Mundri for eye treatment. Now, with this clinic here, we can get help close to home,” she said. “We thank SEM and CBM for remembering our people.”
Health experts warn that onchocerciasis (river blindness) remains the leading cause of blindness in Western Equatoria, followed by cataracts and allergic conjunctivitis, the latter being the most common non-blinding infection.
The opening of the eye clinic is expected to not only provide treatment but also play a preventive role through awareness campaigns and medical outreach programs in remote areas.
For a community long deprived of specialized medical services, the eye clinic represents more than just a health project it symbolizes restored dignity, opportunity, and light.
As one elderly man was overheard saying during the event.
“When you lose your sight, you lose your world. This clinic has brought our world back.”