Group targets 1,000 Edo residents for free eye screenings, surgeries

LIONS Club International, a humanitarian group, is conducting free eye screenings for no fewer than 1,000 Edo residents as well as performing free surgeries for patients with cataracts

The three-day eye programme is organised by LIONS International District 404-A4 Nigeria in collaboration with Glovera Eye Centre.

Prince Osadebamwen Okoro, Governor of District 404-A4 Nigeria said that, the initiative was in commemoration of the 2024 World Sight Day, celebrated annually in October.

Okoro stated that the outreach was an annual event aimed at reducing the burden of eye diseases in the country.

“We are a community-based organisation with eight mandates, the core being sight.

“Our mandate also includes the environment, feeding the hungry, testing and treating diabetes, addressing childhood cancer, among others.

“We cannot leave everything for the government to do.

“Lions members are not the wealthiest people in society, but due to their compassion, they use their limited resources to impact lives.

“Many people struggle with vision issues but lack the financial means to access treatment in hospitals. This outreach aims to bring relief to such individuals in our communities.”

He encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to join the organization to expand its societal impact.

Dr Onyeka Madubuattah, Managing Director of Glovera Eye Centre, noted that the free eye programme also served to raise awareness about the importance of eye care.

“The second gift God has given us, after life, is our sight. If one is blind, their productivity is reduced, which affects the economic output of society.

“This programme is not only providing free eye care to the less privileged but also educating people about the causes of blindness and prevention strategies.

“We are providing free glasses, conducting free cataract surgeries, and targeting to reach 1,000 people within these three days.

“We aim to offer at least 40 cataract surgeries for free during this programme,” she added.

Dr Bala Anegbe, Cabinet Secretary of District 404-A4 Nigeria, added that the district included Edo, Delta, and Ondo states.

Anegbe added that the eye was an important organ in the body that should be given the necessary care.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Sandra Ezeikah, expressed her gratitude to the organisers for their support.

She said, “Reading is no longer a problem for me because I was given a free pair of reading glasses.”