WORLD SIGHT DAY: IMO DEPUTY GOVERNOR ADVISES IMO PEOPLE ON PERIODIC EYE TEST
The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere has called the general public to go for periodic eye test to prevent eye diseases and blindness, saying that only good vision can make the people function normally and optimally.
The Deputy Governor of Imo State made this remark while addressing a cross section of artisans and drivers at the Tipper Park, Nekkede Mechanic Village, Owerri, Imo State during free eye test and treatment for drivers and artisans organized by Nigerian Optometric Association, Imo State chapter in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Commission to mark 2016 "World Sight Day.
In his address, Prince Madumere opined that issue of sight should be a matter of concern to all and that nobody should be left out in the efforts to improve the sight of every citizen. Emphasizing the importance of good sight, he observed that anyone who loses his sight lives in a dark world even while agreeing that it is not the end of the world.
He commended the group for their choice to center their campaign on drivers attributing majority of road accidents to impaired vision and failure on the part of the motorists to go for period test so as to detect in time if they have any eye problem so as to treat them.
He urged that all hands must be on deck in the effort to solve eye problems beginning from prevention, which he said is in tandem with vision 20/20.
Speaking further, he assured that government of Imo State in its agenda to ensure that her citizenry have access to intensive health care will do all within its power to support Nigerian Optometric Association in its effort to give sight to the good people of Imo State. He averred that in government's broader attention to the health of Imo citizens, it has shown interest and will continue to do so in all aspects of the human health including the sight of all citizens.
Making his passionate appeal to all in his words; "We have too many persons who have glaucoma, cataract or other common eye problems without even knowing that they have it. The solution is for all of us to have our eyes checked on regular basis. There eye problems are curable and treatable if detected early. Late detection, on the other hand, leads to complications and even total blindness.
Today, I declare that everybody: the civil servants, the teachers, the politicians, the farmers, the artisans, the students, men and women, old and young, all must take part in regular eye tests. A stitch in time, they say saves nine," he enthused.
Speaking earlier the Chairman of Nigerian Optometric Association thanked Imo State Government for choosing to support the worthy campaign of fighting preventable eye diseases by going regular test. He stated that the group is ready to go the extra mile in partnership with the government to take the out reach to the rural areas so as to help them solve little eye problems to avoid mismanagement.
He also used the opportunity to commend Imo State government for a bill on Primary Health development, which he said will go a long way to give them the necessary space to reach out to all.
The Deputy Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Owerri, Mr. Emmanuel Obot expressed the partnership with the Optometric Association, saying the partnership will enable them nip in the bud avoidable road mishaps occasioned by impaired vision.
Chief host of the event, Chief Okebaram Izuchukwu who is the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transporters Workers, Imo State chapter thanked Prince Madumere for coming to speak to his members and assured that they will take the awareness serious and ensure their members go for regular eye checks for effective efficient delivery in their jobs.
The high point of the event was when the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere flagged 2016 World Sight Day off.
Imo Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere had in his entourage, Imo State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Chief Hilary Eke, Commissioner for Community Government Council, Hon. Innocent Eke, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Edward Ihejirika, Head of Service, R. Calistus Ekenze, Rev. Nwulu, Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Public Affairs, Dr. Ifeanyi Ekenasi among others.
Uche Onwuchekwa
Special Assistant Deputy Governor on Media