NGOs allocate N1.2bn to promote eye health in Plateau

Sightsavers International and Christian Blind Mission (CBM), both International NGOs, have allocated over N1.2 billion to promote eye health in Plateau. Dr Sunday Isiyaku, the Country Director of Sightsavers disclosed this when he led management of the two NGOs on a visit to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang on Thursday in Jos.

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Isiyaku explained that the funds would be committed to renovating hospitals, provision of infrastructure, equipment and training of personnel toward effective service delivery.

He said that the project being implemented in collaboration with the Plateau Ministry for Health, was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the state toward providing a sustainable and integrated eye health programme.

“It is also to provide and improve access to comprehensive and inclusive integrated eye health services for at least, 70 per cent of the targeted population, including people with disabilities from all ages. This marks the renovation and equipping of the facility in Pankshin General Hospital by the CBM, and in Shendam by Sightsavers international launched in 2022, which is currently operational. We have also trained hundreds of community health extension workers, who screen and detect eye conditions at the communities and refer them to secondary facilities where they will either get glasses or get surgeries,” he said

Isiyaku further stressed the need for regular eye check by residents of the state, insisting that such move would improve eye health in the state.

He commended the state government for its commitment to the project, adding that it would spur more partnership in the future.

He, however, decried the dearth of opthalmologists in the state and called on government to address the challenge.

Responding, Mutfwang, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, lauded the organisations for their commitment toward promoting eye health in the state.

He expressed government’s readiness to partner with any organisation willing to invest in the state, particularly anyone that would improve the living condition of the people.

NAN/Wumi