World Sight Day: Deputy Governor advises Imo people on periodic eye test

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has called on the general public to go for periodic eye test to prevent eye diseases and blindness, saying that only good vision can make the people function normally and optimally.
Madumere made this remark while addressing a cross section of artisans and drivers at the Tipper Park, Nekkede Mechanic Village, Owerri, Imo State during free eye test and treatment for drivers and artisans organized by Nigerian Optometric Association, Imo State chapter in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Corps to mark the 2016 World Sight Day.
In his address, Prince Madumere opined that issue of sight should be a matter of concern to all and that nobody should be left out in the efforts to improve the sight of every citizen.
Emphasizing the importance of good sight, he observed that anyone who loses his sight lives in a dark world even while agreeing that it is not the end of the world.
He commended the group for their choice to center their campaign on drivers attributing majority of road accidents to impaired vision and failure on the part of the motorists to go for period test so as to detect in time if they have any eye problem so as to treat them.
He urged that all hands must be on deck in the effort to solve eye problems beginning from prevention, which he said is in tandem with vision 20/20.
Speaking further, he assured that the Government of Imo State in its agenda to ensure that her citizenry have access to intensive health care will do all within its power to support Nigerian Optometric Association in its effort to give sight to the good people of Imo State.
He averred that in government’s broader attention to the health of Imo citizens, it has shown interest and will continue to do so in all aspects of the human health including the sight of all citizens.
Madumere said: “We have too many persons who have glaucoma, cataract or other common eye problems without even knowing that they have it. The solution is for all of us to have our eyes checked on regular basis. There eye problems are curable and treatable if detected early. Late detection, on the other hand, leads to complications and even total blindness.
“Today, I declare that everybody: the civil servants, the teachers, the politicians, the farmers, the artisans, the students, men and women, old and young, all must take part in regular eye tests. A stitch in time, they say saves nine.”
The Deputy Corps Commander of the FRSC, Owerri, Emmanuel Obot, expressed appreciation for the partnership with the Optometric Association, saying it will enable them nip in the bud avoidable road mishaps occasioned by impaired vision.
The Chief Host of the event, Chief Okebaram Izuchukwu, who is the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transporters Workers, Imo State chapter, thanked Prince Madumere for coming to speak to his members and assured him that they will take the awareness serious and ensure their members go for regular eye checks for effective efficient delivery in their jobs.
The high point of the event was when Madumere flagged 2016 World Sight Day off.
Madumere had in his entourage the Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Hilary Eke; the Commissioner for Community Government Council, Hon. Innocent Eke; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Edward Ihejirika; the Head of Service, R. Calistus Ekenze; and the Adviser to the Deputy Governor on Public Affairs, Dr. Ifeanyi Ekenasi, among others.