By Yetunde Oke
Oyo State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Oyo State World Sight Day Committee has called on stakeholders to support the drive toward reducing the burden of preventable blindness in the state.
The Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi made this known at an event organised in Ibadan, to mark 2023 World Sight Day with the theme ” Love your Eyes at Work.”
According to Dr Ajetunmobi it became imperative to restore hope to all eye challenges, especially for workers as this would help to improve output and productivity.
Dr Ajetunmobi added that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has made health one of its cardinal pillars and has ensured free health services for all through the different free health missions carried out across the 33 local government areas of the state.
“This year, some eye challenges have been treated through the free health mission 1,330 cataract surgeries and 10,480 eye glasses.”
Also speaking, Chairman, Oyo State World Sight Day Committee, Dr Yinka Ologunsua, harped on the importance of eye examination to avoid irreversible eye damages.
“Today as we commemorate the World Sight Day in collaboration with Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, free eye services will be offered to workers which include free eye screening, discussions on various eye challenges, and free surgeries for selected indigent patients.”
Dr Ologunsua who is also the Chairman Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, urged the Oyo state government to set the pace by modelling Universal eye coverage for all.
A beneficiary, Mrs Alisu Oyetunji, appreciated the state government for the opportunity to get her eyes examined for free.
Highlights of the event include health talk, awareness walk, free eye test and free eye glasses for patients with eye conditions.
