Wife of the Abia State governor, Priscilla Otti has called for collective efforts towards raising awareness and deepening of understanding of glaucoma in the state.
Mrs Otti made the appeal in Umuahia during the commemoration of the 2024 World Glaucoma Week with the theme, “Uniting for a Glaucoma-free World.”
“This year’s theme underscores our shared responsibility in mobilising communities worldwide to join forces in the battle against glaucoma-induced blindness,” she said.
Represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Adaeze Emetu, the first lady urged the people to partake in the free eye screening provided by the administration during the week to ascertain the state of their eyes.
“Together, let us stand united in our resolve to eradicate the shadows of glaucoma from our communities, ensuring a brighter, glaucoma-free future for all,” she stated.
The commissioner for Health, Ngozi Okoronkwo, represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Ify Uma Kalu advised people to pay close attention to their eyes and health in general.
Similarly, the senior special assistant to the governor on special duties, Betty Emeka-Obasi harped on the need to continue to enlighten and educate the people on the disease.
She lamented that over 90 percent of those affected by the disease are not aware of it and called for “regular eye examination, which is the key to early detection and management and compliance with prescribed medication.”
“Of course, there’s no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage thus protecting vision.
That is why a visit to an eye clinic for an eye examination is so important,” she noted.
A consultant ophthalmologist, Anya Kalu, extolled the current administration for providing state-of-the eye equipment in the state adding that to deepen the awareness, the exercise should be a continuous one.
