Until last year, Cleophas Akarimutumye, a resident of Rukozo Sector in Gicumbi District, could barely leave his house as cataracts had robbed him of his sight.

After getting free surgery through the Defence and Security Citizen Outreach Programme, he is back on his feet and tending to his livestock with no difficulty.

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"I am deeply grateful to the army for this initiative because I can now see again. I am able to cut grass for my livestock and carry out daily activities on my own without depending on anyone else,” he said.

Akarimutumye, whose second eye was operated on on Sunday, May 10, is among thousands of Rwandans expected to benefit from this year’s nationwide eye-care campaign being conducted by Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) medical specialists in partnership with the Rwanda National Police, the Ministry of Health, and the Fred Hollows Foundation.

"My eye illness had left me almost completely housebound, but now I am truly thankful. The first eye recovered well, and I am confident this one will heal too,” Akarimutumye added.

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The two-month campaign, officially launched on Sunday at Kinihira Provincial Hospital in Rulindo District, under the Defence and Security Citizen Outreach Programme, targets at least 6,000 cataract patients across the country.

Brig. Gen. Dr. John Nkurikiye, RDF&039;s Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Health Services, said the programme targets an average of 200 patients per district, though the number could rise depending on demand.

"This activity started today and will run for two months. We are taking it to all 30 districts, with a target of at least 6,000 patients,” he said.

He said the eye-care initiative is part of the broader Community Outreach Programme, which started in March and has expanded significantly since its inception in 2009.

"When we started, it lasted only one week. We later realised the need was much greater. Today it runs for three months, and every year we continue to increase our reach,” he said.

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According to Nkurikiye, although the outreach covers multiple healthcare services, eye care was separated this year because of increased capacity to provide cataract treatment countrywide.

He noted that treating one cataract patient can cost more than Rwf1.5 million, but all services are fully covered through government support and contributions from development partners.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Jean Marie Vienne Ndayizigiye, said the campaign is a major intervention in addressing Rwanda’s eye care demand, especially among citizens aged above 50.

He said Rwanda currently performs 2.5 cataract surgeries per one million people, below the World Health Organization benchmark of four per million.

"Although we still have work to do, significant progress has been made,” he said, noting that the countrynow has more than 500 eye-care facilities and around 30 eye specialists.

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Ndayizigiye added that delayed treatment remains one of the biggest causes of severe visual impairment.

"Many people delay seeking medical attention or first try traditional remedies, only seeking hospital care when their condition has worsened,” he said.

Maurice Mugabowagahunde, the Governor of Northern Province, said the initiative demonstrates the impact of collaboration between security institutions and local authorities.

He said previous campaigns faced resistance due to fear and misconceptions around eye surgery, but public confidence has grown through testimonies from recovered patients.

"People were initially afraid because they did not understand what cataract surgery involved. But after beneficiaries began sharing testimonies of restored sight, more residents embraced the programme,” he said.

The Fred Hollows Foundation Country Director, Tiva Kananura, said cataracts account for about 57 percent of avoidable blindness cases.

"This is a simple 15-minute surgery, but for many people it is life-changing,” she said.

She noted that distance to hospitals, lack of awareness, and fear of surgery continue to prevent many patients from seeking care.

Beyond the outreach, she said the foundation is supporting Rwanda’s long-term eye care interventions through equipment provision, infrastructure support, and specialist training.