THURSDAY, MAY 8 2008
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4.5m Nigerians are blind because of cataract – Specialist
At least 4.5 million Nigerians are suffering from cataract-induced blindness, an eye expert disclosed on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Dr, Charles Bekibele, Assistant Head, Ophthalmology Department, University College Hospital (UCH), made the disclosure at the Annual Cataract Surgery Sponsors Day held at college’s School of Nursing.
He said that people suffering from cataract were more in rural communities, pointing out that most of them found it difficult raising N5,000 of the N15,000 required for the surgery.
He said that UCH management, as part of its public service, had written off N10,000 of the required amount.
Bekibele said that as a result of the inability to raise the amount, locals shied away from seeking medical attention when suffering from cataract, a development that eventually results in blindness.
He said: “Majority of the people living in rural communities do not seek help when suffering from cataract. Some see it as a sickness that affects you when growing old.
“People with cataract or eye problems living in the rural communities should be assisted to get treatment at the UCH by their friends and family.
“Let us go out to the rural communities and bring out those that are blind for surgery.
“When they return home, it will encourage others suffering from the ailment to seek medical attention.’’
Mrs Omolola Amoo, the Outreach Coordinator and an Assistant Director in UCH’s Ophthalmology Department, said that the purpose of the event was to acknowledge the support of sponsors.
She said that the sponsors had made it possible for the outreach to achieve its goals, and solicited more assistance from public-spirited Nigerians.
Earlier, UCH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Abiodun Ilesanmi, had urged the donors not to relent in their efforts to support the programme.
Chief Taye Ayorinde, Patron of the outreach programme, urged religious groups and other community-based societies to assist in reaching out to cataract victims..
Ayorinde decried the level of corruption in the country, saying that the outreach programme would have been unnecessary if the country’s resources were judiciously utilised.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, commended UCH for its efforts at preventing blindness.
Represented by his son, Prince Gbade Lana, the Olubadan, disclosed that he had been supporting the outreach by making his official residence and palace available as outreach centres.
