Edo State, Nigeria: Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) has collaborated with the Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation to celebrate their Golden Jubilee. Under their collaboration, the two organizations will host a blindness prevention initiative.
The initiative is part of giving back to RRIN’s host communities in Edo State. The Outreach Programme aims to:
• Carry out 200 free surgeries,
• Distribute 300 free reading glasses,
• 100 free de-worming for children,
• 2500 free eye and medical consultations with medication.
The campaign was declared open by the Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Samuel Alli. The announcement was made at the Rubber Research Health Centre in Iyanomo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
While declaring the eye camp open, Dr. Alli called the health initiative a beacon of hope. According to him, it is a promise of a brighter, clearer future for countless individuals affected by vision impairment in the host communities.
He stated, “In Nigeria, the landscape of eye health presents both challenges and opportunities. The statistics are sobering yet serve as a call to action.”
“Within the last three years Nigeria has recorded an estimated 24 million cases of vision loss. Meanwhile, 1.3 million of our fellow Nigerians are living in the darkness of blindness.” Said Dr Samuel Alli.
He added that a majority of these cases stem from conditions that are, with the right intervention, entirely preventable or treatable. This includes over 80% of blindness cases caused by avoidable factors such as untreated cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors”.
He pointed out that the eye camp in Iyanomo is a direct reaction to both national initiatives and local needs. He added thus, “It is a sign of our collaborative dedication to not only treat but also prevent eyesight loss. We seek to give complete eye exams, correct refractive problems, perform cataract procedures, and educate our community about eye health management”.
The Commissioner guided that the Institute should embark on a comprehensive renovation of the its health facility in order to bring it up-to-date with international standards, as pathway to delivering best health services to the society and its host communities.
The Executive Director of the Rubber Research Institute, Dr L. N. Dongo delivered the welcome address at the opening of the event. She expressed gratitude to the partners of RRIN partner and the distinguished guests for identifying with the Institute at such a time.
She said that the eye camp will at give sight back to the host communities and will run for a week.
Dignitaries present at the opening event include:
• The Founder of Africa Cataract and Eye Surgery and lead eye surgeon for the camp, Dr. Gabriel Okorodudu;
• The Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee and Consultant for Rural Eye Health, Nigeria, Prof. Afekhide Omotin;
• The Head of Medicals, Rubber Research Health Centre, Dr Daniel Ayeba
• Top Management staff of the Institute
• Traditional leaders
• Members from the host communities including Uhie Community, amongst others.
The people of Edo state are extremely happy to have a eyecare camp in their communities. Many people within these communities were struggling with sight issues because they did not have access to treatments.
People are grateful to Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria and Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation the facility to their communities.