Ruth Ngaruiya, KTG Program Manager for Africa, recently held a virtual meeting with Somali healthcare leaders Dr Said Hussein Gedi and Dr. Mohamed Kalif to discuss a potential collaboration aimed at addressing critical gaps in childhood eye care across Somalia. The conversation highlighted the urgent need for early detection of eye diseases in children, particularly in a region where access to treatment remains severely limited.
During the meeting, Ruth was joined by Megan Webber , Co-Founder of KnowTheGlow and Helene Dameris , KTG Director of Global Outreach who shared the organization’s mission to educate communities worldwide about the early signs of childhood eye conditions. They emphasized how simple observations such as spotting an abnormal white glow in a child’s eye in photos can signal serious diseases like retinoblastoma, pediatric cataracts, or amblyopia. Early detection can save vision and lives, yet in Somalia, many cases go undiagnosed until it is too late.
Dr. Said and Dr. Kalif provided a sobering look at the realities families face in Somalia, where there is no local access to essential treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or laser therapy for conditions such as retinoblastoma. The survival rate for such diseases remains tragically low. Dr. Said shared heartbreaking stories, including that of a father who lost all eight of his children to cancer, a clear reminder of the consequences when care is delayed or unavailable.
Beyond medical shortages, systemic barriers make the situation even more dire. Many families abandon treatment due to financial hardship or logistical challenges, while cultural misconceptions often delay medical visits until a child’s condition becomes untreatable. For those who do seek help, the lack of specialized care within Somalia means traveling abroad often at great expense and with little guarantee of success.
Despite these challenges, the group identified a promising path forward: targeted awareness campaigns delivered through platforms already widely used in Somalia, such as TikTok and WhatsApp. Dr. Kalif confirmed that smartphones and social media are deeply integrated into daily life, offering a powerful way to reach parents and young people with life-saving information. KnowTheGlow committed to developing educational materials in Somali and Arabic to ensure accessibility, while Dr. Said and Dr. Kalif emphasized the importance of engaging optometry students from local universities to help spread awareness.
By the end of the discussion, both sides agreed on a shared vision: empowering Somali communities with knowledge to recognize early warning signs and seek timely care. KnowTheGlow will provide campaign resources, while Dr. Said’s work with Somali National University, the Community Eye Hospital, and Charity Vision alongside Dr. Kalif’s role at Aden Adde International University will ensure the initiative is grounded in local expertise.
“This partnership has the potential to save countless children from preventable blindness or worse,” said Dr. Said. “In Somalia, awareness isn’t just the first step, it’s a lifeline.”
