Ekiti govt partners US-based group to treat school children of eye infections

Kayode Fayemi

The Ekiti State government has signed a partnership deal with the United States-based non-governmental organisation, Grace for Impact to repackage the School Health Programme with a major focus on Eye screening and treatment exercise for school children across the state.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, who signed on behalf of the State Government, commended the NGO for coming to partner with the state.

The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi said the partnership became necessary so as to prevent blindness and eye infections among primary and secondary school children in the state.

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While describing school children as one of the vulnerable groups in the society, she assured that the government of Dr Kayode Fayemi would do everything possible in ensuring the children are exposed to necessary health care.

She said, “Those with Eye infections will be treated and those without any infection will be screened to prevent Eye infection. It was noted that about 80% of blindness and Eye infection cases affect most children at early age of birth who were not given proper treatment, as a result of lack of awareness with proper screening and treatment exercise, which lead to the increase in population of children having Eye problem or even blind at early age.”

Earlier, the CEO, Grace for Impact, Mrs Amanda Childress reiterated that the partnership with Ekiti government would help reach out to no fewer than 5,000 school children across the sixteen local government areas of the state.

“80% of the Eye infections and blindness are due to lack of awareness and sensitisation which has made many children end up being blind in school when a short and simple treatment would have saved the sight of those children,” she said.

Grace Abejide