Somalia Marks World Glaucoma Day with Call for Early Eye Screening

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s health ministry marked World Glaucoma Day with a public awareness campaign urging citizens to undergo regular eye examinations to prevent vision loss.

The event, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Health Somalia in Mogadishu, focused on increasing public understanding of Glaucoma, known locally as biyaha indhaha, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to irreversible blindness if not detected early.

Health officials said the initiative aims to encourage early diagnosis through routine screenings and to strengthen preventive healthcare across the country.

During the event, medical experts highlighted the importance of early detection and called on the public to seek regular eye checks, particularly for people at higher risk of developing the disease.

Ministry of health officials also said the government is working to expand specialized eye-care services in public hospitals and equip health facilities with the diagnostic tools needed to identify glaucoma in its early stages.

The ministry said improving access to eye-care services and raising awareness about preventable blindness remain key priorities in strengthening Somalia’s public health system.