Ogun PhcBoard, FIDSON HealthCare Trains Eye Health Workers On Eye Care Services

 

In a bid to improve access to eye care services for the people, the Ogun State Government has incorporated Eye Health services into the primary healthcare system across the Local Government Areas of the State.

The Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola, disclosed this during a capacity building training, organised by the Board in collaboration with FIDSON Healthcare Limited for Eye Health Workers from various primary healthcare facilities in the State.

Ogunsola, noted that lack of awareness and access to eye care services were some of the reasons why many Nigerians remained visually impaired or seek unorthodox and disastrous treatment options, adding that there was a direct link between access to care and prevalence of blindness, hence, bringing eye care closer to the people was a logical step in addressing the problem in Nigeria Primary Eye Care (PEC).

The ES explained that one of the vital component of primary health care included; the promotion of eye health, the prevention and treatment of conditions that might lead to visual compromise, as well as rehabilitation of those who were already visually impaired, saying that it would potentially change the future of eye care services by starting at the community level.

Speaking on behalf of FIDSON HealthCare, Mr. Gbemileke Afolabi, commended the Ogun State Government for its collaboration in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in the area of eye care, saying that the present administration had continued to implement reforms aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services through strategic partnerships and capacity building for health workers.

He added that Nigeria had carried the burden of blindness and visual impairment, worsened by limited access to quality eye care services, reaffirming that FIDSON HealthCare remained committed to supporting Ogun State in improving eye healthcare through training, awareness campaigns, provision of essential eye care support and strengthening the capacity of frontline health personnel to ensure that residents have access to quality and affordable eye treatment services.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, a representative from Ipokia Local Government Area, Mrs. Aderonke Adeyemi, appreciated the Ogun State Government and FIDSON HealthCare for organising the capacity-building programme, describing it as timely and impactful.

She stated that the training would significantly enhance the delivery of eye care services at the grassroots level and improve the knowledge of healthcare workers in identifying and managing eye-related conditions within their communities.

She added that the initiative would also help reduce the prevalence of harmful and unprofessional treatment options that often result in visual impairment and avoidable blindness among residents.