By Coco-Bassey Esu
The Cross River State Ministry of Health is partnering with International Association of Lions Club, Region 4 and 5 of Lions District 404 A 2 on their International Lions Lions Day being 8th October to carry out advocacy and communication events on the eye health.
World sight Day is actually on 13th October, but activities to mark the day begins on the 8th of October.
During the period of marking world sight day, the state Ministry of Health in collaboration with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation and Lions Club International will carry out free vision screening, eye health education, free eye surgeries, donations of eye glasses and assistive device to those with vision impairment.
KEY MESSAGES – Approximately, 285 “millions people worldwide live with low vision and blindness.
-Of these, 35 millions people are blind and 246 millions have moderate or severe visual impairment.
-90% of blinds live in low income community.
-Yet 80% of visual impairment is avoidable.
-Restoration of sight and blindness prevention are among the most cost effective interventions in health care.
-An estimated 19 million children are visually impaired and we will concentrate on them this year.
