Service providers urged to lower price of spectacles

By The guardian reporter

Prof Kovin Naidoo

Eye care service providers in the country have been urged to extend their scope to rural parts of the country and to also lower the prices of their services particularly the price of spectacles.


In the wake of published research findings across at least eight regions in the country, the Brien Holden Vision Institute Director, Prof Kovin Naidoo has been quoted saying there is huge need for affordable spectacles in Tanzania.

“It is estimated that 3.5 million Tanzanians lack a pair of spectacles and over 3 million others aged above 40 years are in need of near vision correction,” he said.

He also said the institute has been working to lower the price of spectacles and is now ready to offer affordable spectacles.
“Spectacles must be offered at lowest possible price to the poor to address the problem,” he said.

In a statement released recently in Dar es Salaam, the National Officer with Brien Holden Vision Institute, Eden Shayo seconded the director saying blindness can be avoided through increased availability of affordable spectacles eye among other things.

He said a range of affordable spectacles can make a significant contribution towards the elimination of vision impairments these areas and went on to underscore the need for service providers to lower the prices of spectacles allowing low income patients to purchase them.

Shayo also advised Tanzanians to cultivate the culture of going for regular medical checkups especially persons over the age of 40.

Brien Holden Vision Institute and the Tanzanian Optometric Association (TOA) uses existing supply networks to distribute affordable spectacles, create access points for low income patients to receive these spectacles and offers continuous professional development courses free of charge for optometrists in Tanzania to ensure high quality services. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN