Writing By Teddy Daniel; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
The Programme Director of the Sightsavers Reaching the Last Mile Programme in Nigeria, Anita Gwom, has called for stronger government commitment and increased local funding to support eye health interventions in the country.
Mrs Gwom made the call during activities marking World Glaucoma Week at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, where free eye screening and public awareness campaigns were conducted.
She explained that the awareness campaign was aimed at educating the public about the dangers of Glaucoma, a serious health condition that can lead to permanent blindness if it is not detected early.
She added that Sightsavers was collaborating with government health institutions to provide screening and referral services for people diagnosed with eye problems.
“We are supporting the government by creating awareness and screening members of the public for glaucoma and other eye diseases, and when cases are detected, they are referred for proper diagnosis and treatment,” Mrs Gwom said.
According to her, the organization is also strengthening the health system by working closely with personnel at eye clinics and providing basic equipment to support screening exercises.
Mrs Anita Gwom noted that despite progress recorded over the years, funding remains a major challenge affecting eye health programmes.
“The major challenge we are facing is funding, as developmental funding is becoming increasingly difficult to access and many organisations are competing for the limited resources available,” she explained.
She therefore called on government, philanthropists and local donors to support eye health initiatives across the country.
The program Director therefore stressed that although government efforts are commendable, more commitment is needed to expand eye care interventions and prevent avoidable blindness.
“Eye health is very important and people often do not realise its importance until they lose their sight, that is why we must intensify awareness and screening,” she added.
One of the beneficiaries Mallam Abdullahi Bako expressed happiness with the screening , free medication and eye glass given to him
Radio Nigeria report that about five hundred members of the hospital community benefited from the free eye care outreach, where medication for various eye diseases was provided and people with disabilities also accessed the services.
