I was bemused, sometimes ago, when I read about the lamentations of our first security officer, the Inspector – General of Police (IG), on the pages of our newspapers that too many policemen were dying fighting armed robbers. My heart goes out to these brave officers and men of the police who had laid down their lives so that the rest of us may live in peace.
However, I ask myself, “Must they die? Must they die in such large numbers fighting crime?” Something must be wrong! Maybe our strategy. Maybe our planning; maybe our intelligence gathering or surveillance system.
Now it must be obvious to us all that it takes more than armoured tanks and high profile bullion vans to fight armed robbery. We must remember the police are in uniform and can be easily identified by men of the underworld. They are up against men and women they don’t know, but who know them inside out.
What has this to do with “You and Eye”? asked Mr. John. “It is easy to discern,” I replied. “A medical doctor is like a security officer fighting crime (in this case ‘disease’) against the body. For a successful fight against disease, the doctor must have all the information about the disease at his fingertips.
He stays in the hospital and patients keep on coming to see him. He is overburdened and keeps on lamenting like the IG. “I saw 50 patients yesterday and today I have seen 100. I am tired! We need more hands! Some of my colleagues have contacted some of the dreadful diseases while combating them and had died.”
“Isn’t it obvious that the policemen and medical doctors have something in common?” I asked. I didn’t wait for the answer. “Yes, they are both waiting for the ‘criminals’ to attack and they only fight back!” I replied, not realising that I was talking to myself.
“It is difficult to win a battle when your opponent dictates the time, place and weapons of war! Isn’t it therefore obvious that the only way that the doctor or the policeman can win the battle is to control these variables that are essential for victory.
“Dr Ajayi, I agree with you, but I am yet to see what this has to do with your “You and Eye,” said my very good friend Mr Akere. “Just be patient. Let me land! I promise you the relationship will be very clear in a minute,” I said.
ALSO READ: Looks can be deceptive!
We have been talking about blindness in Nigeria, but we didn’t have authentic figures until several years ago. The causes of crime are changing just as the causes of blindness are changing! Why? The demographics are changing; the poverty level is increasing and there are significant changes in the environment.
Since all these variables affect the causes of blindness, it means the rates of visual impairment and blindness are also changing. Thus, we are back again to using estimates and extrapolations to get a good idea of the crime (disease) and the tools we need to tackle it.
Meanwhile, patients continue to go blind and we are able to treat a tiny fraction of those who come in trickles to our hospitals and eye care centres. The last survey of blindness and low vision in Nigeria gave us a faint glimpse into where the patients were coming from and what was happening in their local communities. We then suddenly realised that we should broaden our focus beyond the needs of our individual patients to wider communities and the public in general.
If we can prevent disease from developing, we shall have fewer patients to treat. “An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of treatment.” We shall save a lot of money which can be used for providing other social services.
“Mr Akere, can you now see the convergence of the work of the police with that of the medical doctor?” I teased. “Yes, I see, but you don’t use guns and bullets,” he fired back. I dogged the bullet with my response by replying jokingly, “Unfortunately, we do! We use syringes and needles and give shots!”
This year’s World Sight Day comes up on the second Thursday of October. It is a global event meant to draw attention on blindness and vision impairment. The Police need your support to fight crime in our society, Eye Care needs your support to prevent and reduce blindness in our communities.
There are over 500,000 cataract blind patients out there in dire need of assistance to restore their sight; over 500,000 people on the way to blindness from glaucoma and sadly, many of them don’t even know it. A good proportion of those who know, haven’t the wherewithal to do something about it! How can you help?
First, ensure that you yourself does not contribute to the numbers of the blind by having an eye examination during this week or at your earliest possible convenience. Secondly, join eye care workers in your area in the World Sight Day Campaign.
Thirdly, contribute to our prevention of blindness and sight restoration efforts. Make a donation today, to Eleta Eye Institute Foundation, GTB Account 003 074 1307 Remember to add “For World Sight Day Activities.”
and then