Staff Writer
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, has commended the partnership between Old Mutual Zimbabwe and the Eye Institute, highlighting its impact on strengthening health delivery in Zimbabwe.
The partnership, which aims to tackle critical challenges in eye health, has made significant strides in restoring sight and dignity to senior citizens and vulnerable groups.
Speaking at the Eye Camp initiative launch, Dr Mombeshora said the initiative, launched in 2024, began with a pilot programme in Manicaland, where screenings and cataract surgeries provided renewed vision and hope for many.
“This collaboration began with a pilot programme in Manicaland where screenings and cataract surgeries provided renewed vision and renewed hope for our senior citizens and other vulnerable groups. The programme goes beyond treating patients, restoring dignity, independence, and the ability to participate fully in family and community life,” he said.
The minister noted that eye diseases remain among the top five causes of outpatient visits in health facilities, with refractive errors, cataracts, conjunctivitis, trauma, and glaucoma being the most common.
He cited the World Health Organisation’s estimate that 125,000 Zimbabweans, or about 1% of the population, are blind, with 62,500 cases due to cataracts alone.
Dr Mombeshora emphasised the importance of partnerships in addressing national health priorities and commended Old Mutual and the Eye Institute for their dedication to community well-being, noting that their efforts are saving sight, restoring livelihoods, and reminding everyone that improving health is about people.
“The programme is expanding into three provinces – Harare, Midlands, and Manicaland – with a target of performing 300 surgeries in 2025, and I am confident that the target will be met before the end of the year,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora also encouraged more partners to follow the example set by Old Mutual and the Eye Institute, saying stronger collaboration is essential to eliminating avoidable blindness, strengthening the healthcare system, and delivering a healthier, more vibrant Zimbabwe for generations to come.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe group chief executive Samuel Matsekete said the programme, which offers free eye care services to citizens aged 60 and above, has already made a significant impact in the lives of hundreds of Zimbabweans.
“The success of the pilot programme has motivated Old Mutual to scale up the initiative in 2025, with screenings already completed in Harare’s high-density suburbs of Machipisa, Glenora, and Mabvuku. The programme has performed hundreds of successful cataract surgeries, restoring sight and improving the quality of life for many elderly citizens,” he said.
Matsekete said beyond financial services, Old Mutual is committed to building a future that is inclusive, sustainable and dignified for the communities it serves.
“The company’s partnership with the Eye Institute is a testament to its dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of Zimbabweans,” he said.
Matsekete encouraged people to spread the word about the upcoming Eye Camps, scheduled for Manicaland: October 22-25, 2025, and Midlands: November 21-25, 2025.
“By working together, Old Mutual and the Eye Institute aim to ensure that more elderly citizens can benefit from this life-changing programme,” he said.
