… Screens Pupils for Blinding Eye Conditions
… Restates Commitment to Preventing Childhood Blindness
As part of its ongoing efforts to address childhood blindness, the Lagos State Ministry of Health hosted an impactful eye health education and screening event at Agidingbi Primary School, Ikeja, to commemorate World Sight Day. The event, attended by key government officials, healthcare professionals, and pupils from neighbouring primary schools, focused on raising awareness about preventable blindness and the importance of early intervention in eye care, particularly for children.
The event featured eye screenings for pupils and teachers, alongside health education sessions. Fliers on eye injuries and infections were distributed to promote awareness of eye health practices. Pupils with refractive errors received medicated lenses, while those with other eye conditions were referred to eye care centres for further treatment.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi noted that the theme for the Year 2024 World Sight Day commemoration, “Love Your Eyes, Kids”, underscores the need for improved eye health practices among children to combat childhood blindness and visual impairments.
Ogunyemi emphasised the significance of the day, stating, “World Sight Day is a time for reflection and action. We are here to remind ourselves of the importance of protecting our vision and making eye care accessible to everyone, especially children, who are our future”. She highlighted that 80% of childhood blindness is preventable, with early intervention playing a crucial role in reducing its burden.
She provided alarming statistics from the World Health Organisation, noting that over 1.5 million children worldwide suffer from blindness, with a staggering three-quarters of those cases found in Africa and Asia. “Our country is not immune to this burden, and uncorrected visual impairment in children severely impacts their education and quality of life,” she added.
Ogunyemi further stated that the Lagos State Government has been proactive in combating childhood blindness, pointing out that the Lagos State Blindness Prevention Programme, launched in 2000, and the School Eye Health Programme of 2006, have collectively screened over 179,599 pupils.
The Special Adviser also acknowledged the launch of WHO’s SPECS 2030 initiative, which aims to provide affordable, quality eye care to all. She disclosed that Lagos State has aligned with this vision by offering comprehensive eye care services to children and adults alike, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight against preventable blindness.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, addressed the pupils, urging them to protect their eyes. “Love your eyes. Don’t allow anyone to put things in your eyes, and avoid playing with sharp objects near your eyes”, he advised.
Ogboye, represented by the Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Dr. Folashade Oludara, encouraged the children to spread the message to their parents and peers, emphasising that eye care is essential for achieving their future goals.
The Permanent Secretary lauded Lagos State’s long-standing School Eye Health Programme, which provides children with access to comprehensive eye screenings and care. He added that the School Eye Health Programme has been instrumental in detecting and treating eye conditions in children, significantly reducing visual impairment in Lagos.
Chairman of the Ophthalmology Society of Nigeria, Dr. Olayinka Soneye-Vaughan also delivered a heartfelt message to the pupils. He stressed that many eye-related issues are preventable and warned against harmful practices like using battery water or breast milk as treatments.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Adeyemi highlighted the critical role caregivers play in preventing childhood eye issues. She emphasised that proper eye care begins during pregnancy with vitamin A, which helps prevent conditions like night blindness.
She expressed concern about harmful traditional practices, urging continuous education at the community level to raise awareness about the dangers of such practices and empower caregivers to protect their children’s eye health.
On her part, the Acting Director of Medical Administration, Training, and Programmes, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho highlighted the importance of marking World Sight Day every second Thursday of October. She noted that this day creates awareness about the need for regular eye checks and prevention of eye diseases, especially among children.
Erinosho also mentioned a national competition initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health, where children create crafts representing glasses and envision their future careers. She expressed confidence that Lagos State would be among the top contenders in the competition.
The Acting Director concluded by encouraging children to protect their eyes, stating that vision is key to achieving their future dreams. “If you want to become anything you dream of, you must take care of your eyes. Love your eyes and protect them”, she urged.
World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative Dr. Wesley Salifu reinforced the day’s message, encouraging pupils to care for their eyes and avoid stigmatising peers who wear glasses. “Wearing glasses is just like wearing shoes to protect your feet”, he explained, reminding children of the importance of eye care in academic success.
The event featured free eye screenings for pupils, who learned about proper eye care practices. Teachers and parents were urged to ensure regular eye checkups and avoid harmful unorthodox treatments.
This year’s World Sight Day celebration in Lagos reflects the State’s commitment to eye health. With ongoing efforts from healthcare professionals and community leaders, the dream of eliminating preventable blindness for children across Lagos State is becoming a reality.
