Abia Governor’s wife launches free eye care programme.

[FMINigeria]

The wife of Abia Governor, Mrs Odochi Orji has launched a free "Community eye care programme" for rural dwellers.

While speaking at the ceremony in Umuahia, Mrs Orji said the programme was aimed at making specialist eye care services "available, accessible and affordable" to the people, especially those in the rural areas.

She described as totally unacceptable, the 2.5 per cent prevalence rate of blindness and low vision in the State, compared with the national prevalence rate of 0.7 per cent.

She stated that the State government "is totally committed to the eradication of blindness and elevation of the community eye care programme as a cardinal health care project."

The Governor's wife gave the assurance that the programme would receive all the necessary assistance from the government to ensure an effective coverage in the 17 local government areas.

She commended the State government's health initiatives, including the construction of eye care medical centres in the three senatorial districts.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Emenike Onyekaba,restated that the programme would bring quality health care to the rural communities, added that other senatorial zones would benefit.

In an interview, some of the beneficiaries thanked the Governor's wife for the initiative and urged her to ensure its successful implementation.

Marcus Chimbuo from Oboro in Ikwuano, said he sustained injury in his right eye in 1968 during the civil war but could not afford to pay for treatment and hoped that the ailment would be successfully treated during the programme.

Mrs. Hope Ejike from Okwuta-Ibeku in Umuahia North Local Government Area, also thanked the Governor's wife and the State government for the initiative.

The event was attended by hundreds of elderly men and women from different communities in Abia central senatorial zone.

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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria

[FMINigeria]

[Folami David]

That's a very good initiative from someone like her...This would definately make a lot of sense to the indigens of that state. Very good.

[Folami David]