Editorial: Reimagining cataract financing in Uganda

Abstract

As an ophthalmologist and clinical lecturer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, I am deeply
committed to transforming eye health in Uganda. My academic journey began with earning a medical degree and a Master’s in Medicine from Mbarara University, followed by a PhD from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), where I focused my research on corneal infections in Uganda. With a strong emphasis on anterior segment diseases and public health innovation, I have dedicated my career to combating preventable blindness and reimagining Uganda’s eye care landscape through research, leadership, and advocacy. My vision is to create accessible and sustainable solutions for the challenges we face, which are substantial. In Uganda, the need for eye care is immense. With only 50 ophthalmologists serving a population of 45 million, and similar shortages in allied eye health professions, the lack of resources is staggering. Of the 1.26 million people currently requiring cataract surgery, just 13,500 surgeries
are performed annually. Financial constraints exacerbate the problem—only 10% of those in need can afford the procedure, leaving a vast unmet demand.

To help address this, I founded Dr. Arunga’s Eye Hospital (DAEH) as the first social enterprise facility in Uganda dedicated to improving eye health. The hospital provides quality, affordable eye care to underserved communities, ensuring that no patient is turned away due to financial constraints. However, operating within the current model is challenging. At times, the hospital struggles to cover its costs, limiting our ability to invest in the future and tackle the broader gap in Uganda’s eye care system. Uganda does not have a National Health Insurance scheme that is able to minimise out of pocket expenditure for the patients.