1,000 Cataract Surgeries Planned for Manicaland in 2025 – Dr Bvumbwe

By Evans Jona

MUTARE – At least 1,000 cataract surgeries are scheduled to be conducted across Manicaland Province this year, as part of an expanded community eye health programme.

Speaking to Post On Sunday, local ophthalmologist Dr Everson Kudzai Bvumbwe, who is leading the initiative, said the programme — which began in Mutare last year — is now set to extend to additional districts including Nyanga, Chipinge, and Birchenough Bridge. The expansion will prioritise areas with established hospitals or theatre facilities capable of supporting cataract surgery.

“We started in Mutare and operated from there, but now we’re moving into other districts. The main requirement is the availability of a hospital with a functioning theatre,” said Dr Bvumbwe. “Last year, we successfully performed over 500 surgeries, and this year, we are setting our sights higher — with a minimum target of 1,000 cataract procedures.”

The surgical programme is being coordinated from Sakubva District Hospital in Mutare, which serves as the central hub for operations. Dr Bvumbwe noted that the hospital is equipped with a government-run Eye Unit, enabling continuous surgical services. Several mission hospitals in surrounding areas are also expected to participate in supporting the initiative.

However, the expansion goes beyond surgical interventions. Dr Bvumbwe confirmed plans to launch school-based eye health screenings and education campaigns. He said discussions are currently underway with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to obtain the necessary approvals for school visits.

“We are finalising paperwork with the Ministry to allow us to conduct free vision screenings and eye health awareness programmes in schools. These services will be provided at no cost, and the only charges patients may incur will be for consumables during surgery,” he explained.

To strengthen outreach efforts, Dr Bvumbwe and his team plan to deploy a mobile eye clinic, which will offer vision testing, spectacle provision, basic treatments, and public health education on eye diseases.

“We want to bring these services directly to the people, particularly school pupils,” he said. “It’s important that communities are informed about the causes and risks of blindness, and how to prevent it.”

He added that informational materials would be distributed in local languages, including Shona and Ndebele, to ensure messages reach diverse communities effectively.

The initiative comes at a critical time, as rural and underserved areas in Manicaland continue to face limited access to specialised eye care. Cataracts remain one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in Zimbabwe.

Dr Bvumbwe stressed that engaging young people was a vital aspect of the programme.

“Young people are the drivers of the economy, and they need to be equipped with knowledge about eye health, as they represent the future of this country,” he said.

The 2025 programme marks the highest cataract surgery target set by the initiative to date, with the broader aim of reducing preventable blindness and improving the quality of life for communities throughout Manicaland.