REGIONAL director for the World Health Organization (WHO) African region, Dr Faustine Ndugulile, has urged the public to establish regular health check-ups to better monitor and maintain their overall health.

Dr Ndugulile made these remarks over the weekend while launching a three-day eye health camp at Vijibweni Hospital in Kigamboni district, Dar es Salaam. The event was organized by the Lalji Foundation in collaboration with the Lions Club of Dar es Salaam host.

“It is now more important than ever to know your health status. Key information, such as your weight, height, and blood pressure, plays a critical role in maintaining good health. Equally important is knowing your blood sugar levels. Awareness of your health helps you take preventive measures and avoid serious complications. Ignorance of your health status can be extremely dangerous,” Dr Ndugulile stated.

He further explained that many people suffer from eye problems linked to conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, often because they were unaware of their health issues in time. “Had they known earlier, they could have managed their blood pressure or sugar levels, preventing these problems. That’s why it’s so important to make routine health checks a habit,” he emphasized.

Dr Ndugulile encouraged Kigamboni residents and those from nearby areas to take advantage of the free services offered at the medical camp. He stressed the importance of eye health for all age groups, not just the elderly, urging families to bring their children for check-ups as well.

“I want to thank the people of Kigamboni for turning out in large numbers. Eyesight is essential to our daily lives, and everyone, including children, should have regular eye exams. Let’s be ambassadors of this camp and encourage our peers to come and benefit from these services. Together, we can build a healthier community, fully engaged in everyday activities,” he said.

He also called on the Lalji Foundation and the Lions Club of Dar es Salaam to continue organizing such camps for the community, recognizing their significant impact.

“Medical camps like this are vital for our communities. I encourage us to sustain these efforts and include specialists in other areas, such as orthopaedics and paediatrics, to continue benefiting the people. Let’s establish a system that provides ongoing quality healthcare services,” Dr Ndugulile said.

Imtiaz Lalji, chairman of the Lalji Foundation, stated that the camp aims to serve approximately 3,000 patients, urging residents to take advantage of the opportunity.

“We expect to serve at least 3,000 patients by the end of this camp. We appreciate the great response from the residents of Kigamboni,” Lalji said. He highlighted the need for such medical services in Kigamboni and praised the significant turnout.

“On the first day, we saw 700 people, with 88 receiving eye surgeries. On the second day, we had already registered 800 people,” he explained, adding that these camps will continue in different areas to reach more communities.

“These camps will be held periodically and in various locations because they are highly needed and beneficial to our communities,” Lalji added.

Mrisho Bindo, a resident of Kigamboni and a beneficiary of the camp, expressed his gratitude to the organizers. “We thank all the institutions involved in making this camp possible. The services were excellent, and we appreciate the doctors’ efforts. We hope to see improvements in our health. I encourage other organizations to continue organizing similar camps, as they greatly benefit our communities,” Bindo said.health