More than 150 patients are expected to undergo eye surgeries at Gatunda Hospital in Nyagatare District this week under the ongoing Defence and Security Citizen Outreach Programme (DSCOP), a humanitarian initiative conducted by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and The Fred Hollows Foundation Rwanda.

The outreach programme is focused on providing specialized eye care services, including cataract surgeries, to vulnerable citizens suffering from preventable vision problems.

Medical teams at Gatunda Hospital have already begun attending to patients, with the initiative expected to restore sight and significantly improve the quality of life of beneficiaries.

The cataract surgeries form part of broader healthcare services being delivered through DSCOP, a programme through which Rwanda’s defence and security institutions support communities through medical outreach and social welfare interventions.

Officials involved in the exercise said the partnership with the Ministry of Health and The Fred Hollows Foundation Rwanda reflects a continued commitment to expanding access to specialized healthcare services, particularly for citizens in underserved areas who may not easily afford such treatment.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing the surgeries as life-changing and a source of renewed hope for patients who had lived with impaired vision for years.