The international development organisation Sightsavers has advocates for better access to eye health services for children elderly in the country.
It recall that yet eye health is a neglected area of healthcare, and people are struggling unnecessarily with avoidable blindness and vision impairment. Dr Joy Shu’aibu, country director at Sightsavers comments: “Two thirds of children and adults who require glasses to help them see clearly, do not have access to these glasses.
In a statement, the Country Director Sightsavers Dr Joy Shu’aibu, said, in Nigeria the numbers are similarly shocking, in 2020 there was an estimated 24 million people with vision loss, and of these 1.3 million people are blind or have moderate to severe vision impairment from cataract or refractive Error this year for World Sight Day, Sightsavers is supporting several activities under the Plateau Inclusive Eye Health Programme.
A comprehensive eye health initiative in Jos and Shendam will include screenings for up to 700 pupils, eye health education for teachers, and the provision of glasses. Roadshows and media engagements will raise awareness at state and local levels, with visits to the Ministry of Education and state universal basic education board (SUBEB) health promotion officers will lead community campaigns, advocating to traditional rulers and local institutions.
He said,, The same can be said of other eye conditions like cataracts, (a condition children can be born with) where a significant proportion of people especially living in rural communities are unable to get the treatment they need.”Globally, there are 1.1 billion people who have an untreated or preventable visual impairment.
Additionally, a medical and surgical outreach is planned for Quantum in collaboration with the state government and partners.Dr Shu’aibu, continues: “These events celebrate the achievements made and raise awareness of the eye health crisis we face globally and in Nigeria.
We have made great progress to meet the challenges, with governments, donors, decision-makers, NGOs, and other partners collaborating to improve access to quality and affordable eye health services for everyone. But big changes are still needed to make avoidable vision impairment truly avoidable.
”Across the world, the avoidable vision issues of cataract and uncorrected refractive errors, such as short-sightedness, are the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment respectively. Addressing the world’s eye health issues would cost just a sixteenth of the annual global productivity loss due to visual impairment.
