By Donald Ojebo
As part of measures to improve efforts geared towards increased access to eye care services across all levels of health care in the State, the Delta State Government inaugurated a 13-man State Eye Health Committee with a charge on the members to hit the ground running.
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye conducted the formal inauguration of the newly constituted 13-man State Eye Health Committee at his office in Asaba.
“In the Ministry of Health we are very much committed to the total wellbeing of each individual as it pertains to their eye, nose, throat and other health care needs hence I urge you this day to internalize the spelt out responsibilities of this Committee which will be your guide in implementation” he stated.
He reminded the Committee members of the importance of the eye and its care since the issue of functional sight cannot be overemphasized as no rational being can just trade-off once sight for anything in the world.
Dr. Ononye informed the Committee that their first assignment was to organize the forth coming 2022 World Sight Day slated for Thursday, October 13, 2022 with the theme “Love Your Eyes” to focus on eye screening mainly for Drivers at motor parks in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety Corps and National Union of Road Transport Workers among other activities.
He enumerated the functions of the Committee to include coordination of all activities relating to eye health care services including the prevention of blindness and rehabilitation of the blind; provision of technical guidance for the implementation of eye care in the State; improve communication between the National Eye Health Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health and the State Ministry Health among others.
The Chairman of the Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Philomena Okeowo, Director, Public Health, State Primary Health Care Development Agency in her response thanked the Commissioner for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity and assured that they will not let the State down.
The Committee members include the Permanent Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency; Chairpersons, State Chapters of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria; Nigerian Optometric Association; Nigeria Ophthalmic Nurses Association; Association of Nigerian Dispensing Opticians, Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (visual impairment); Council of Traditional Rulers; Christian Association of Nigeria; Association of Persons Living with Albinism; Head, Non-communicable Diseases; NGOs affiliated to Eye Care (Eye Care Health initiative and White Angels) and a State Eye Desk Officer.
