In Tanzania, a leading eye specialist is making significant strides in the fight against trachoma, a major public health concern in the country. Dr. Margaret Mumbua Muthoka, based in Chalinze District, has been providing essential eye care services since 2017, when she was selected as the district coordinator of eye health services by Sightsavers, a global organization working to prevent avoidable blindness.
Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and disproportionately affects poor, rural communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the inner upper eyelid, causing eyelashes to turn inward and scratch the eyeball, resulting in irreversible blindness if left untreated. Surgery can prevent this outcome if diagnosed early, making trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgeons like Muthoka crucial in the battle against blindness.
Muthoka’s journey into eye health was driven by circumstance, as she was already a medical practitioner when the councils of Chalinze and Bagamoyo were divided in 2016, leaving Bagamoyo without an eye specialist. She pursued further training, completing a three-month course in eye health at the Mvumi Institute for Optometric Assistants, and later trained as a surgeon specializing in TT, performing over 200 surgeries to date.
Despite the challenges, including fear, lack of information, and long distances to surgical camps, Muthoka has seen significant improvements in her patients’ lives after surgery, enabling them to resume daily activities and earn a living. Sightsavers carries out several follow-ups after surgery, including a one-day follow-up, a 7-14 day follow-up, and a three-to-six month follow-up to check for recurrences or eye granuloma.
Muthoka also plays a vital role in community education, training caretakers and case finders to raise awareness about trachoma and its treatment. The awareness campaign has begun to change perceptions, with community members now calling to ask when they can be tested or treated. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate trachoma as a public health issue by 2030, and Muthoka emphasizes that financial support is crucial to reach people in rural areas and achieve this goal.
The fight against trachoma requires a multi-faceted approach, including mass drug distribution, the SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvements), and improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. With continued efforts and funding, it is possible to eliminate trachoma as a public health threat, and Muthoka’s work is a significant step towards achieving this goal.
