President Kibaki has urged the private sector to help in making health care more affordable.

The President said private agencies should partner with the Government in enhancing access to quality medical care.

"A huge percentage of the budget of average Kenyan goes into medical expenses and this has the potential of making more people slip into poverty," he said.

The Government, he added, was gradually increasing the health budget to ensure health care is affordable.

He cited the increase from Sh35 billion to Sh47 billion in this year’s health budget.

Kibaki spoke when he opened the first eye bank in East and Central Africa.

It will now be easier for those blind due to defects of the cornea to regain their sight, thanks to the eye bank. The Kanubhai Babala Eye Bank will be housed at the Lions Eye Hospital in Nairobi and is expected to serve the region.

"This eye bank will go a long way in easing the hardship faced by many Kenyans with vision problems caused by defects of the cornea," said the President.

Kanubhai Babla, a Kenyan philanthropist, funded the eye bank at Sh73 million. The four-storey facility will also house specialty clinics and a training centre.

"We hope the bank will make a difference in the lives of ordinary people in Kenya and beyond," said Babla.

Thousands of people are awaiting corneal surgery, as there are few corneas available for use.

Hospitals rely on imported corneas. The eye bank will obtain, evaluate and distribute cornea tissues for transplantation.

But the facility is expected to face challenge in building up a good stock of corneas, as many Kenyans are reluctant to donate their corneas.

Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o pledged to donate his cornea after his death to encourage Kenyans to follow suit.

"Kenyans should overcome their superstitions against donating body organs especially corneas to save the lives of those who live after them," he said. Kibaki said there were plans to transform provincial hospitals into referral centres, by creating centres of excellence within them.

"This move will help to decongest the two referral hospitals and make quality health care service available o Kenyans," he said.

Kibaki expressed concern at the high number of sight problems among children, saying that lack of early detection often leads to loss of sight.

The President stressed the need to increase access to eye treatment since 80 per cent of causes of blindness are curable or preventable.

It is estimated that there are 250,000 blind people in Kenya, while 750,000 others suffer from low-vision.

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