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The Kwara Government on Tuesday disclosed that about 10,000 patients with different eye ailments have benefitted from free medical intervention by the state government.
Dr Raji Razaq, Kwara Commissioner for Health stated this in Ilorin while receiving the team Of the National Eye Care Provision Fund in his office
Razaq explained that the state government has taken ownership of the eye care programme through various interventions made so far by the present administration
He added that since the inception of this present administration health sector has been given a top priority through payment of counterpart funds that made all partners show interest in working in the state
The commissioner stated that the present administration has strengthened the health sector through partnerships with various stakeholders to improve the health of the citizenry.
He asserts that before the advent of the present administration, the healthcare system was in a state of collapse, especially Primary Healthcare, adding that the sector has now seen a lot of improvement.
Razaq also disclosed that the state has concluded an arrangements to unveil a state Eye Care Provision Policy that will make people in Kwara have equitable access to quality eye care.
According to him, unveiling the eye care commitment will also help stem the rising case of blindness in the state.
Also speaking, Mrs Mopelola Bashir, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, commended the team for finding Kwara state worthy of the project.
She explained that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is working with the relevant partners to improve the well-being of people in the state.
Earlier in her presentation, Dr Iteri Okoli, the National Coordinator Eye Care Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, said the visit was to reiterate the commitment of Kwara Eye Care Programme.
She commended the state government for taking the ownership of the initiative and ensuring effective eye care system.
She explained that the team is on the ground to get specific data and how to work with them, which will translate to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Coordinator explained that the prevalence of eye diseases, particularly those that cause blindness are preventable and treatable, however lamenting the lack of awareness and inaccessibility of eye care services across the country
“We are here with the SightSaver to strengthen existing eye care services in the state.
“The National Eye Health policy is Nigeria’s first comprehensive health Policy which is aimed to scale up existing eye health services and ensures that no one is left behind.
This, she said will be through approaches that ensures equitable access to quality eye care services in Nigeria’s health system.
Okoli explained that the project will puts in place a framework for best practices and enhances competency-based leadership in all strata of eye health encompassing Optical, Optometric, Medical and Surgical Ophthalmology as well as allied health services
In her contributions, Dr Selben Benzin the Senior Programme Manager for Sightsavers commended the state government for making the conducive for partners to operate.
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