Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire
Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire
Health Minister Seeks Stronger Partnership for Universal Eye
Care
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie
Ehanire, has solicited for a stronger partnership and
collaboration between Federal Ministry of Health and the Tulsi
Chanrai Foundation (TCF) to provide better eye care to all
Nigerians at all level.
The Minister, who was represented by a Director in the
Honourable Minister’s Office, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo disclosed this
at the World Sight Day Exhibition by Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye
Hospital (managed by Alavin Eye Care System) at Oladipo Diya
Street, Kukuwaba, in Abuja, recently.
Dr. Osagie said that globally, the International Agency for the
Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has a leadership role in preparing
the annual World Sight Day. However, the Minister said that this
year World Sight Day is been observed on October 10, with the theme
“Vision First”, and the celebration is one of the most important
communication and advocacy events on the Eye health calendar.
The Minister pointed out that the exhibition will go a long way
in educating the public in general and students in particular on
the numerous ways to prevent eye diseases, present new
opportunities to witness recent advancements made in the eye health
and also provide valuable information on the causes, effects and
available treatment options for various eye diseases and
disorders.
He noted that the audio-visual aids extensively deployed at the
Exhibition as means of educating the public on the symptoms, signs
and treatment procedures of eye problems will greatly simplify and
ease understanding.
Dr. Osagie appreciated the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation especially
it’s Hospital for organizing the 2 day event to mark the 2019 World
Sight Day and for all its activities in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the Co-ordinator and Founder of Tulsi
Chanrai Foundation, Mr. Shravan Kumar informed that TCF has
conducted free surgical interventions and restored sight for over
122,000 Nigerians, adding that it is the technical collaboration
with Aravind Eye Care System that established Tulsi Chanrai
Foundation Eye Hospital, Abuja.
Mr. Kumar further said that its foundation endeavours to
significantly contribute to the fight against avoidable
blindness through increasing cataract surgical rates, capacity
building of ophthalmic personnel and ensuring availability,
accessibility and affordability of quality services across
Nigeria.
The Co-ordinator Solicited for the support of all and sundry, in
order to actualise the theme of this year’s World Sight day:
‘’Vision First”. “Awareness is the first step in addressing any
problem so let us pledges that each one of us will at least educate
3 new persons every day on Eye care and importance of eye cares,
and in turn ask them to educate 3 new persons every day. Within a
short period of time, we will reach each and every one across
Nigeria emphasising the importance of sight”.
Earlier in her introductory remarks, the Chief Medical Officer
(CMD), Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, Dr, Dora Binda informed that 4.2
per cent of Nigerians are blind, most of them are 40 years and
above, and three quarters of the causes are either preventable or
treatable.
The CMD therefore, advised the public to always embark on
routine checks on their eyes to avoid careless blindness.
Enefaa Bob-Manuel
Head (Media & Public Relations)