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ABOUT 2,600 people have been successfully screened under the diabetic eye care programme at Kitwe Central Hospital (KCH).
The programme, which is financially supported by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), was launched by First Lady Christine Kaseba in 2012.
KCM public relations manager Joy Sata said 2,673 people had been screened during the programme on the Copperbelt, exceeding the targeted 1,500.
Ms Sata said in a statement released in Kitwe yesterday that 570 diabetics were referred for treatment at the KCH eye ward department.
She said KCM had partnered with KCH to offer screening services to detect retinal pathology among known diabetics and newly-identified patients so as to provide corrective therapy and surgery.
Ms Sata said the programme was aimed at alleviating challenges faced by diabetics in the region, and to fill the gap in providing health care for non-communicable ailments.
She said according to KCH consultant surgeon Asiwome Seneadza, the success rate for those referred to the eye ward department was high.
Ms Sata said KCM and KCH conducted the programme because the disease affects the productive age and ultimately had a negative impact on the economy of the country
She said more diabetics were going for screening after the initial phase was launched.
