2018 WORLD SIGHT DAY: FG, DTSG Perform Free Eye Surgery
ASABA/Nigeria: As part of activities to commemorate 2018 World Sight Day, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Delta State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, have carried out free cataract surgery for over 35 Persons in Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area.
The State Coordinator for Prevention of Blindness, Dr Benedicta Akpeh, an Ophthalmologist with the Delta State Ministry of Health who spoke to our press crew said the World Sight day was a day where issues concerning sight and how to prevent blindness are discussed.
“We talk about issues that cause blindness and then the preventable and treatable causes of blindness and today we are dealing with the treatable causes of blindness.” she stated.
Dr Akpeh described cataract as the whitening of the lenses of the eye which is common with the elderly, those having diabetes or had injuries in the eyes, saying that once the cataract is removed and replaced with artificial lenses, the person will be able to see.
She stated that their work was to deal with the treatable cause of blindness, even as she disclosed that the team was made up of Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Gloria Patrick Ferife and Dr Christiana Onoriode Umolo, also a Consultant and other assistants
Amongst those who had eye surgery, Mr David Akanra and Mrs Helen Ikedenu from Ewu and Okpara inland respectively expressed joy for the free cataract surgery and thanked the Federal and State Ministry of Health and the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria for coming to the aid of the common man.
