Indigenes of Ikwere, Obiakpor, and Etche Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers are set to benefit from a free eye-screening programme courtesy of ADIafrica, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Ashenews gathered through NAN reports that the initiative is aimed at promoting accessible healthcare.
International President of the NGO, Dr Prince Mbachi, disclosed this at the flag-off of the two-day eye-screening outreach held in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Mbachi said no fewer than 340 persons were expected to benefit from the exercise in the state.
He explained that the outreach was organised by ADIafrica in collaboration with the Stephen and Judith Igwe International Education Foundation.
He noted that the initiative formed part of efforts to tackle preventable blindness and untreated eye conditions across Africa.
He described the outreach as a demonstration of the organisation’s commitment to improving health outcomes and enhancing human dignity on the continent.
The ADIafrica International President added that the exercise, which had run across parts of Africa for more than one week, was designed to address vision-related challenges affecting millions of Africans.
He emphasised that impaired sight had ar-reaching economic and social implications.
“We recognise that vision is not merely a medical issue; it is an economic, educational, and social issue.
“When sight is compromised, opportunities are limited,” he said.
According to him, the free screening included comprehensive eye tests, medication, visual field assessments, and the provision of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other accessories to beneficiaries.
Mbachi stressed that early diagnosis and proper care could address many cases of blindness in Africa, adding that health security remained
fundamental to productivity and prosperity.
He said the event marked the kick-off of similar programmes in different African countries and would also be extended to three LGAs in the state.
He noted that the organisation was incorporated in 19 countries and had carried out interventions in Uganda, Botswana, Kenya, and Ghana, among other developing nations.
He further called on the African Union to initiate dialogue toward reducing high airfares within Africa and appealed to the United Nations to consider establishing a vocational university in Africa to promote skills acquisition and youth empowerment.
Also speaking, Mr Monday Eze, Programme Director of the Stephen and Judith Igwe International Education Foundation, said the free eye-screening and maintenance programme was part of efforts to promote quality education through improved vision care.
Eze said the initiative was designed to provide free eye checks, stressing that the intervention focused strictly on vision screening and related care rather than general medical services.
He explained that the education-focused foundation considers good eyesight critical to academic success and overall productivity among beneficiaries and their families.
According to him, the foundation currently supports about 50 undergraduate scholars and is committed to ensuring that their health, particularly their vision, does not hinder their academic performance.
“Education requires reading, whether online or in print, and this depends largely on good vision.
“We believe that supporting eye health is central to achieving our educational objectives,” he said.
Eze added that parents and guardians were also included in the programme, noting that their ability to work and provide for their children depended significantly on maintaining good eyesight.
He observed that awareness campaigns on eye care remained insufficient in society, recounting his personal experience of discovering vision challenges during a screening.
Eze urged members of the public to take advantage of free vision-screening opportunities, noting that early detection and treatment of eye conditions would prevent long-term complications and enhance productivity.
Some beneficiaries of the outreach commended the organisers and urged governments at all levels to support similar initiatives, saying sustained public-private collaboration would enhance access to affordable healthcare for indigent citizens.
