500 persons benefit from free eye care services

No fewer than 500 persons have benefited from free eye care services provided by Care Vision Support Initiative (CAVSI), a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in Edo, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Dr Tolu Afolaranmi, CAVSI team coordinator, told NAN on Wednesday in Benin, said the beneficiaries were from Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo.

Afolaranmi said the NGO carried out the free eye care service in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and support from the TY Danjuma Foundation.

He disclosed that the 500 beneficiaries, were part of the 1,000 targeted to benefit from the various medical eye services to be provided by the NGO.

He said that out of the targeted 100 persons for surgery, 58 patients had so far benefited with 45 of the patients operated on for cataract while 13 patients were operated for other eyes disorders.

The NGO coordinator added that 250 patients were given corrected eye glasses while others were given free eye drugs.

Afolaranmi told NAN that the free surgeries carried out by the NGO go for between N100,000 and N200,000 in the hospitals.

The Team coordinator, however, disclosed that the team had referred a Peadiatric cataract case for operation to the Jos University Teaching Hospital with all expenses to be borne by the TY Danjuma Foundation.

He disclosed that there were 25 medical personnel comprising six doctors, six nurses and 13 support staff in the team.

NAN reports that the free medical eyes service would end on Friday.

NAN also reports that the NGO carried out a similar exercise at Ehor, headquarters of Uhumwode Local Government Area of Edo in April.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with NAN, expressed appreciation to the NGO and the TY Danjuma Foundation for rescuing them from “dark world”.

Mr Iguma Omorose, a 66-year old trailer driver, said he was operated on both eyes with his vision now clearer.

He also said he became blind after somebody hit him with a ring in Lagos nine years ago.

A 70 years old farmer, Mrs Regina Ekuku, said her vision had since become very clear after her eye surgery on Monday.

She showered encomium and prayers on the free eye service providers.