The Kwara Government says it will provide free eye cataract surgeries and distribute corrective eye glasses across the state.
Dr Raji Razaq, the state Commissioner for Health, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday in Ilorin.
Razaq said the gesture would be part of activities to mark this year’s World Sight Day 2021, with the theme “Love your eyes”.
He explained that no fewer than 900 patients had enjoyed free sight restoration services from the state government since the inception of the present administration.
He stated that over 3,000 eye glasses have been provided to correct refractive errors and presbyopia cases in various communities.
Razaq said the “Eye outreach team” and other members of the Free Medical and Surgical Mission of the state Ministry of Health shall converge at the General Hospital, Patigi in Patigi Local Government Area.
“This is in furtherance of the statewide free mission which begun in July 2021, to ensure that the World Sight Day is celebrated,” he said.
The commissioner commended the state government’s exceptional commitment to the construction of a new world class eye care centre at the Ilorin General Hospital and provision of standard equipment for the centre.
While congratulating the people of the state on the occasion of the 2021 World Sight Day, Razaq advised them to take good care of their eyes.
He also urged them to avail themselves the opportunity to access healthcare services in the designated health facilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Sight Day is a global event usually marked on the second Thursday of October annually.
It gives an opportunity to raise awareness on eye health issues of public concerns with the aim of complementing other measures to prevent avoidable blindness in communities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
