The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has appealed to parents and caregivers in the state to prioritise their children’s eye health through regular eye check-ups.
Mrs. Otti emphasized that the state government will, on its own, empower families, schools, and communities with requisite facilities needed to assess their children’s eye health.
Mrs. Otti spoke on Thursday in Umuahia, the state capital, during an awareness walk to marks the year 2024 World Sight Day, with the theme “Love Your Eyes, Kids.”
She explained that early detection is key to preventing eye defects in children, adding that by detecting early eye issues, long-term defects can be corrected, giving the children the opportunity to thrive in their chosen area of interest.
According to her, “today is a call to action for each of us. We have the responsibility not just to treat, but to prevent blindness and vision impairment. Our children deserve to grow, learn, and play with a clear vision, unburdened by the avoidable challenges of poor eye health”
The Abia first lady also expressed that the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau is working hard to expand eye care outreach by training more healthcare workers, establishing new eye clinics, and working hard to reduce the costs associated with eye treatments.
She added that the efforts are all aimed at creating a system where no child is left behind due to vision impairment.
“In addition to this, we have conducted 100 per cent free eye screenings across various locations within the state. I strongly encourage everyone to take full advantage of these opportunities whenever they are available. Regular eye check-ups are crucial for early detection and prevention of potential vision problems, ensuring that we all maintain healthy eyesight for years to come”.
Also, while I commend Governor Otti for his unwavering commitment to improving eye health in our beloved state, I urge all parents and caregivers to take the children to clinics for regular eye check; raise awareness in your communities, and advocate for improved eye care services.
“Investing in the vision of our children is investing in their future—and the future of Abia State. Together, we can create a brighter, healthier future where every child has the chance to see the world clearly and to reach their full potential,” she said.
Dr. Betty Emeka Obasi
In her address, the administrator, Abia Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr. Betty Emeka Obasi, expressed that today marks another significant milestone in our collective effort to create a world that is largely free from eye challenges as it allows us to reflect on the vital role of vision and the urgent need to address eye health challenges in our society.
According to Unicef, “children under the 18 years are estimated 30% of the world population.
In Nigeria, they are an estimated 50% of our 200 million population.
Globally, 450 million of them have some form of sight defects that require medical intervention, 90 million live with some form of sight loss while 448 million suffer from refractive errors, a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in children,” Dr. Betty said.
She further stated that this year theme underscores the significance of eye care for everyone, with a particular focus on children and young people, as early detection and correction of eye problems are crucial for their development and future.
It is also to inspire them to protect their vision and remove the stigma associated with wearing glasses.
However, Dr. Betty urge everyone to advocate for improved eye care services in communities, promote awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations, especially for children and young people, and support initiatives aimed at enhancing access to eyecare. Together, we can ensure that no one is left in darkness due to preventable conditions.
In their remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Enoch Ogbonnaya, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, task parents to help children protect their vision through regular eye check.
They said, the Governor, has given them a mandate to make health care in Abia the best.
The high point of the event is the unveiling of vision corridor at Ibeku High School for the students to regularly check their eyes.
