HEALTHCARE : Clinison Launches Eye Clinic to Boost Specialized Healthcare in Teso

Soroti, Uganda | Patients across the Teso sub-region will no longer need to travel to Tororo or Kampala for specialized eye treatment, following the launch of a new Eye Clinic at Clinison Medical Centre in Soroti City.

The clinic, located at the facility’s headquarters in Owalei, Opuyo, Soroti East Division, was officially opened on Friday, May 30, 2025. 

The event attracted a wide range of dignitaries including cultural leaders, government officials, health professionals, and guests from the United Kingdom and Canada.

Notable attendees included HRH Papa Paul Jones Eganda, President of the Ateker International Development Organisation (AIDO) and Guest of Honour; HRH Papa Raphael Otaya, Cultural Head of the Kumam; and Andrew Ocole, Prime Minister of the Iteso Cultural Union.

Founded in October 2023, Clinison Medical Centre has rapidly earned a reputation as one of the region’s leading private health facilities. 

It provides general medical care, paediatrics, maternity services, minor surgeries, ENT, diagnostics, ECG, immunization, family planning, and pharmaceutical services. However, access to specialized eye care had remained a significant gap until now.

Dr. Jane Agwaru, the centre’s Chief Executive Officer and a Ugandan returnee from the diaspora, noted that the need for an eye clinic became apparent after a temporary eye camp in 2024 managed to treat over 600 patients in just three days. 

She said this overwhelming response pointed to the urgent demand for localized eye care.

She explained that Uganda currently has fewer than 50 ophthalmologists, making access extremely difficult for many communities. With this in mind, the new Eye Clinic aims to bridge the gap. 

Dr. Agwaru also disclosed that Clinison plans to expand the clinic’s capabilities within two years to offer cataract and trauma surgeries. 

She called on partners and donors to support this growth, emphasizing that Clinison’s mission is grounded in preserving patient dignity and providing holistic care.

Speaking at the launch, HRH Papa Paul Jones Eganda expressed AIDO’s full support for Clinison’s vision of becoming a regional healthcare centre of excellence. 

He said AIDO was actively engaging international partners, particularly in the UK and India, to help secure modern eye-care equipment and training for local specialists.

He emphasized that improving patient experience and ensuring emotional wellbeing were essential components of quality healthcare delivery. 

Eganda viewed the Eye Clinic as a transformative opportunity for the people of Teso and a model for community-based development through health.

HRH Papa Raphael Otaya offered prayers and blessings for the leadership of Clinison, commending their commitment to inclusive, respectful, and community-driven healthcare. 

He described the initiative as a blessing for the region.

Representing the Soroti City Health Officer, Ecode Emmanuel commended the clinic’s management for investing in specialized services. 

He noted that the Teso sub-region, still grappling with the effects of a post-conflict era, required a holistic approach to health — one that also takes into account other underserved areas such as dental care.

He called on community members to unite and support institutions like Clinison, which are responding to the region’s healthcare needs with innovation and compassion.

Meanwhile, Andrew Ocole, the Prime Minister of the Iteso Cultural Union, linked the development of healthcare to education, particularly for the girl child. 

He outlined a 10-year plan by the cultural union aimed at improving academic standards and increasing access to scholarships for youth across Teso.

Ocole welcomed the Eye Clinic’s contribution to local employment and welfare. 

He proposed collaborative efforts to establish inclusive health insurance schemes, particularly for persons with disabilities and the elderly. 

He also urged the Iteso diaspora to invest back into their home communities.

Ocen Christopher-The Public Relations Officer while addressing the press explained that the decision to establish an Eye Clinic was informed by data collected during the centre’s health outreach programmes. 

These programmes consistently identified a high demand for eye-related medical services in rural and urban communities across Teso.

He reiterated Clinison’s commitment to affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare delivery. 

The Eye Clinic, he said, is a direct response to the needs expressed by the population.

The new Eye Clinic is expected to drastically reduce patient referrals to far-off facilities, enhance early detection and treatment of common eye conditions, and improve overall health outcomes.