By Ovedhe Jerry.
The executive chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon Emmanuel Egbabor recently organized a free eye screening and surgery to the people Isoko North at the council headquarter.
Speakking during the flagging off of the 3days exercise, Hon Egbabor said that, the council deemed it necessary to organized the programme despite the paucity of funds, because they cannot continue to give excuse of lack of funds and also to fulfill the promises made during their campaigns to restore health to the people of Isoko North.
According to him “the people did not elect us to give them excuse why we cannot perform. It behoves on us as managers with great ingenuity to improves and add value to the lives of the people despite the situation we have found ourselves. We have been transparent and accountable to our people and from the records of what we have done since we assumed office. I can bet that Isoko North is among the third performing councils in the state.
“Am here with my management team to flag-off free eye screening, treatment and surgery for anyone with eye defects in Isoko North Local Government. When I mean free, it is free in all ramifications because nobody will pay a dime for anything throughout the exercise. We are carrying this exercise in order to improve the level of productivity of the people.
” We are doing it free for our people to assist those who are having one eye problem or the other to enable them on their productivity. When you can see for yourself, then you can provide and fend for yourself. Am urging my people to take this opportunity and avail themselves for the treatment as this opportunity will be very rare”.
He stated.
Also speaking, the coordinator of Restore Sight Initiative, Dr Ernest Ogbedo, said the prevalence of poor visual impairments and blindness is very high in Nigeria. He added that majority of those with visual impairments and blindness live in sub-urban and rural areas whereas the eye doctors are based in the urban areas.
He attributed the rise in visual impairments in Nigeria to lack of access to eye screening, distance, cost of treatment among others. “I commended the Chairman for partnering with Restore Sight Africa Initiative in bringing free eye screening, treatment and surgery closer to the people at no cost. We have come here with full
complements of eye professionals with experience in local and international organizations.
“What you are seeing here is an experience drawn from several countries. We are bringing our wealth of experience to bear on our surgery while also providing treatment and glasses to those that will need them. The ones we can’t treat here will be referred to appropriate place”. He stated.
Dr Ogbedo however urge other Local Government Areas, corporate bodies and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture of the Isoko North council Boss by contributing their quota towards reducing the
prevalence of visual impairments and blindness in Nigeria.
Over 2,000 patients were attended to during the exercise, while over 60 persons have been recommended for surgery and over 7000 glasses where distributed to those that need glasses.
Those that accompanied the chairman to the flagging-off of the exercise include: Hon Anthony Odhe, Vice Chairman, INLGA, Hon David Onajega, Deputy House Leader, Isoko North Legislative Arm, Barr Vote
Umukoro, Secretary to Isoko North Local Government, Mr John Ubueme, Special Adviser to the chairman, other heads of departments and council staffs.
Please when will another free eye surgery be organised? My daughter has eye issues. She is 6years old. I need assistance