..As NOA commence free Eye Screening for 10million Nigerian Children
The statement was made recently
by the association as NOA re-launched 'My Sight My Right Initiative' which is a
corporate social responsibility program targeted at providing free eye care
services for 10 million Nigerian school children between ages of 5 to 15 years.
The initiative was re-launched
during the National Delegates Congress/Glaucoma Summit at Hilton Leisure
Resorts and Hotels at Awka, Anambra State.
The NOA National President, Dr
Anderson Chimeziri, PRO, Dr. Okechukwu Egboluche and Anambra State Chairman,
Dr. Chidiebere Ezeanowai who in their separate speeches said that the
association was also celebrating the World's Optometry Day (WOD) urged both
Federal and State Government to subsidize costs of Eye Equipment to make eye
Care services affordable to the poor, rich and middle class Nigerians.
They said that because of the
heavy cost of importing most of the equipment the bill for treatment may be
high but if government can buy these equipment and equip public health
facilities, employ more optometrists who are the first port of call for primary
eye Care, remove import duty for heavy equipment, it would go a long way
towards making eye Care services affordable.
According to the President NOA,
Dr. Chimeziri Anderson, this convention of a sort is a tripartite event, which
includes glaucoma awareness in observance of World Glaucoma week, Optometric
activities, in observance of world Optometry week and the National delegate
meeting where we deliberate on ways to enhance Optometric practice as well as
improve on welfare of our members in the health sector".
"In this event, we shall
also launch two important projects of my administration;
The maiden edition of our
newsletter magazine "Eye Connect" and the re-launching of the NOA
initiatives for children. My Sight-My Right.
My Sight My Right is a
corporate social responsibility and eye health promotion drive of Nigerian
Optometric Association".
"We are targeting children
because they are a vulnerable population, often not in control of their eye healthcare
choices. Many children do not have health insurance and their complaints may
not be prioritised by parents/guardians due to financial constraints or lack of
adequate awareness.
"Most eye conditions
become chronic if failed to be detected and managed early.
Children are the future of any
nation and graduate to be the productive population of any Nation. Ensuring
optimum eye health among children is crucial for their education, productivity,
and social well-being.
Vision problems can contribute
to school dropouts, juvenile delinquency, redundancy and other associated
societal issues, making it essential to provide children with comprehensive eye
care services.
"We are targeting 10
million children across Nigeria to be screened and those who need glasses will
get it free of charge.
"I call on all
philanthropist, government agencies, donor support agencies and IDAs to come to
our aid and support us make this a reality.
A total budget of 100 million naira
($100,000) will be require to meet this target knowing fully well that the
underserved children resides in the rural areas and villages," Chimeziri
said.
Earlier in his address, NOA
Anambra State Chairman, Dr Chidiebere Ezeanowai said that the essence of Events
theme - 'Glaucoma, the Silent Thief of Sight' was because more awareness was
needed to let people understand the need for regular eye check saying that
glaucoma has nearly no symptoms until it gets to its final stages.
In her Keynote address,
National Coordinator Eye Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
Abuja, Dr. Oteri Eme Okolo said that Glaucoma was predominant in sub-Saharan
Africa and more among Igbos in the South East.
"Glaucoma Risk factors include
Black race especially Igbo ethnicity, family history, above 40years, exposure
to trauma, male gender, unmarried state, Intraocular pressing (IOP), Diabetes, HBP,
Refractive errors, Direct and Indirect costs associated with seeking care and
treatment.
"How do you catch the
thief: Awareness campaigns, patient compliance to medication, collaboration and
research should continue? We cannot restore vision but Conserve vision in
management of glaucoma patients. Early detection by seeing an optometrist is key
to glaucoma or any treatment of eye problem," Okolo said.
Moreover, former Head of
Service, Anambra State and occasion chairman, Barr. Harry Udu pleaded with
researchers to discover why glaucoma is prevalent among Igbos and create
awareness on preventive measures.
Highlights of the summit
include free glaucoma eye screening, Launching of the maiden edition of NOA
Newsletter' Eye Connect', award presentation to SSA on Special Duties to Abia
State Governor, Dr Mrs Betty Emeka-Obasi.
NOA declared to give Governor
Chukwuma Soludo a special Leadership award on security and a recognition award
for Anambra State being the only government in Nigeria to give the optometry
profession its rightful place in the Ministry of Health.
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