Plateau Blindness Rate Higher Than National Prevalence — Official

Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong has revealed that blindness rate in the state is about 2.7 percent higher than the 0.7 percent national prevalence rate.

Dr. Baamlong stated this during a walk to commemorate this year’s World Glaucoma Week in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

According to the commissioner, this year’s theme; “Uniting for a Glaucoma-free World” requires collective action, cooperation and unity among individuals, organisations and governments.

He stressed that the theme also resonates deeply with the state government’s commitment to ensuring accessibility and quality health care for the people.

Meanwhile, the Eye Health manager of a nongovernmental organisation, Health and Development Support Programme (HANDS), organisers of the walk, Mr Abalis Dassat, noted that glaucoma was a leading cause of blindness globally, hence the need for the awareness.

Dassat expressed concern that the signs for glaucoma are often silent which made the people unaware until it is late.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to always have their eyes checked, noting that blindness comes with challenges on the individual and the society while adding that all hands must be on deck to prevent it.