By Kemi Akintokun
The Orile Agege General Hospital (OAGH), in collaboration with Attom Foundation, has provided free eye screening and cataract surgeries to 200 residents across Lagos communities, targeting the reduction of avoidable blindness.
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of OAGH, Dr Oluyemi Taiwo, said that the initiative was aimed at tackling avoidable blindness and improving the quality of life of affected individuals.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day event, which started on Tuesday, was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Blind Prevention Programme Unite, in collaboration with OAGH and supported by Attom Foundation.
Taiwo said:“The screening and surgery has become necessary to address cataract, an opacity of the eye lens caused by ageing or trauma.
“The programme aims to address preventable blindness and improve patients’ quality of life.
“Our culture is excellence-driven.
“Every client receives appropriate care as they arrive. This initiative reflects our passion to reduce needless blindness within communities,” she explained.
Taiwo urged NGOs and foundations to collaborate further, noting that such alliance would enable expanded outreach and bring greater healthcare benefits to Lagos communities.
She described the turnout as ‘beautiful and fantastic’.
She explained that free eyeglasses were distributed, including medicines, while surgeries were carried out on those with severe cases of cataract.
The OAGH Executive Director/CEO expressed optimism that continued similar initiatives would reduce blindness across Lagos, ultimately improving both vision and overall quality of life for countless residents.
The Director of Projects of the Foundation, Tarik Abubakar, said many seniors silently lose their sight because they could not afford proper care.
Abubakar added that the outreach aaimed o restore dignity and independence through free medical services.
“Beneficiaries received free eye screenings, prescription glasses, essential medication, and cataract surgeries.
“Something as small as a pair of glasses can transform daily living and relationships”.
Abubakar advised on preventive steps like avoiding dirty hands, using sunshades, eating vegetables, and seeking prompt medical care.
He stressed that no one should lose their sight because of poverty.
In her remark, Dr Erinosho Mazeedat, Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programme, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said the exercise was part of programmes under the Lagos five division ‘IBILE’ to offer free medical outreach to communities.
Mazeedat said the ministry would continue to enlighten people on the need regular medical check up.
She added that the outreach was extended to pupils in primary schools including Olusosun primary schools, Ikeja, where some students were discovered to have reflective errors and the foundation provided free glasses for.
“We have carried this outreach in Lagos West, Lagos Central, so we are leveraging this existing structure to actually give the people health promotion talks on the need, beyond the outreach, to imbibe the culture of having medical check, at least once in a year”.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
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