Speeches

Indo Eye Care Foundation Free Surgeries

Feb 26, 2009 - It is common knowledge all over the world, that government alone cannot solve the myriads of challenges facing a given society. Most advanced countries have succeeded because of the commitment and sacrifice of stakeholders, partners, Corporate Organisations, NGOs and people of goodwill. This is why an event of this nature is a demonstration of the understanding of people behind this laudable initiative.

I sincerely appreciate the partnership offered by your non-governmental organisation, Indo Eye Care Foundation, through the treatment, supplies of drug and free eye surgeries to eye patients in the State. Your service is obviously a product of love, care and genuine sympathy for our people, especially the retarded children and polio victims among them at the grassroot who have benefitted in addition to the eye care services. The provision of eye care facilities by your organisation is to a large extent significant to achieving total health goal of any individual.

The eyes are mirrors to the soul and they are both windows and beacons for the mind. Unfortunately and perhaps out of ignorance, a lot of people seem to pay little attention to the effective management of their eyes. Your foundation through your programmes: the sheer range of eye care services including surgeries for glaucoma, ptergyium, squint and acid burns has indeed raised people’s awareness of various eye diseases and defects and the available preventive and corrective measures. I am aware of the transplant surgeries on seven blind or partially blind Nigerians and how you successfully helped them in restoring their sights.

Today, I am happy to identify with your objectives because I know that you have once again come to give succuor to patients with diverse eye problems free of charge. While thanking you most sincerely for these kind gestures, the free surgeries, treatment and supply of free drugs to patients, I would encourage your foundation to further support the government in giving adequate enlightenment to the public on the care of the eyes.

A conscious caring of the eyes would help in reducing many of the eye problems among our citizens. Periodic eye and vision examinations are an important part of preventive healthcare. I am aware that many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms.

Therefore early diagnosis and treatment would help in preventing some of these problems that may not necessarily lead to surgery. It is also advisable for patients to visit their optometrist regularly even if they feel their vision is normal.

I am happy to inform you that in Lagos State, facilities have been upgraded in the eye units of seven of our General Hospitals to provide services for early detection of eye conditions that may lead to blindness. We also offer eye health education; free treatment of common eye conditions such as conjunctivitis at the Primary Health Clinics and prompt referral of more difficult cases and those requiring surgeries.

The Ministry of Health under the current administration has considerably strengthened the State’s capability for efficient eye care delivery at the grassroots. More than 105 Primary eye care workers have been trained, and we have established and equipped primary eye care units to offer primary care services. We have also sustained the free eye screening service treatment, surgery and provision of medicated glasses to people of this State which was initiated by our predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You are all aware of the popular “Jigi-Bola” which was decentralized from the Senatorial Districts to the Local Government level as the new unit of implementation in order to reach more people at the grassroot.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, and our good partner, I wish to further assure you all that Lagos State Government is ready to implement more programmes and policies that would improve the health profile of our people. We are aware that government needs to put in place certain measures to further enhance and guarantee healthy living of our people. For instance, it is necessary to provide safe and clean water supplies to prevent diarrhea; intensify campaign on immunization to prevent measles and infections, promote healthy food supplies, make available, essential drugs to reduce dependence on harmful traditional remedies and improve on maternal and child health.

We are ready to strengthen our partnership with the Indo Eye Care Foundation in the sustainability of our eye healthcare delivery, free screening and surgery. Your NGO has convinced me beyond reasonable doubt that you have what it takes to provide essential care services to the people of Lagos State, especially at the grassroots level.

Your relationship with us has also confirmed the strong ties that exist between Nigeria and India even in other sectors. And we are pleased to note that you have made Lagos State as one of the States in the federation where this philanthropic and humanitarian service is being carried out.

Once again, the Lagos State Government is pleased to associate with the Indo Eye Care Foundation and we hope that this partnership will be sustained for a long time to bring succour and relief to people with eye disabilities.

I thank you all for listening and God bless.

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor, Lagos State