Chigozie Uzosike
The Imo State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy of St. Joseph’s Eye Hospital Mgbirichi, Imo State, and Christian Blind Mission has targeted about 1.650,000 people for eye care services by the end of 2029.
Speaking on Tuesday in Owerri at the inauguration of the project, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Christiana Ubaka, noted that the project offers a milestone in the collective commitment to improving healthcare delivery and strengthening the health systems and facilities.
“The event signifies hope, progress, and a renewed dedication to ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing quality healthcare services and health education, especially women, children, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable members of our communities.
“This project represents a major step forward in addressing challenges related to healthcare access, inclusion, awareness, and support for underserved populations. It reflects our shared vision of building healthier communities where every individual is valued, protected, and empowered to live a dignified life. The vision is to ensure access to comprehensive and inclusive Eye health care services for the visually impaired”.
She said, “We want to enhance and strengthen collaboration with the Imo State Ministry of Health in the provision of eye care services and in the areas of leadership and coordination. The project directly targets approximately 105,331 individuals to be reached in eye health care services at the end of 2029.
“Out of this number, at least 21,120 patients will have received their first eye examination at the Vision Centres (VCs) regardless of whether they were referred for further treatment or not. Of these, an estimated 6,336 patients from the eight VCs will be referred to appropriate secondary facilities for additional care. 211 individuals, including medical and non-medical personnel, persons with disabilities, and government representatives, will receive direct training. 84,000 patients (42,000 in the second and third project years) will benefit from the services”.
“Among these, approximately 6,500 individuals will benefit from eye surgeries within two years. In addition, an estimated indirect target group comprising of at least 1,650,000 people by the end of 2029 will have been reached through radio broadcasts, awareness and community sensitisation activities.
“A total of nine health facilities will directly benefit from the project’s institutional strengthening measures, including: public (state-owned) health facilities and private health facilities operated by the project partner DMMM. These facilities are distributed across the three senatorial zones of Imo State.
“At the heart of it all, disability inclusion at all levels of implementation is prioritised. The project will further provide training on advocacy, awareness-raising, empowerment, disability rights, and gender equality, especially for persons with disabilities”
The commissioner of health, Imo State, Chioma Egu, said education and awareness remain key tools in solving many health-related challenges.
He added, “Through collaboration, partnership, and continuous engagement, we can create lasting solutions that will positively impact lives for generations to come”.
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