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From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Government has assured residents that eye care services will remain available even as Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) ends its four-year intervention programme in the state.
Dr. Abayomi Oni, permanent secretary, Osun State Hospitals Management Board, stated this during the last outreach of the LCIF initiative yesterday.
He disclosed that the outreach programme reached about 122,000 patients and recorded about 1,500 cataract surgeries.
Oni also explained that the eye care centre built by LCIF in Osogbo has treated over 8,000 patients, describing the intervention as impactful and results-driven. He said the state has taken steps to protect and maintain the legacy of the project after LCI’s exit.
He disclosed that the staff at the centre have been trained, adding that capacity building included training two consultant ophthalmologists at the Aravind Eye Care Centre in India, four ophthalmic nurses in surgical theatre techniques in Uganda, and two optometrists in India.
He further stated that the state has made budgetary provisions for maintenance of the centre, and that the facility is structured to run on its own through revenue generated from services, “even without input of the government.”
Oyekanmi, project chairperson of the Lions Club Comprehensive Eye Care Development Project in Osun, said the intervention helped reduce the prevalence of eye-sight problems and created awareness among the populace.
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“We discovered that there was a high prevalence of sight problems in Osun and we found out that it was high. That was why we packaged this project as comprehensively as possible.
“We built and equipped the centre with modern equipment which was bought from India. We then embarked on outreach services to communities.
“We can boldly say that the intervention has helped to significantly reduce the prevalence of eye sight problems and also create awareness among the populace.
“This is a partnership arrangement between the Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Osun State government. Part of the understanding is to employ staff purposely for this project. The government of Mr Gboyega Oyetola, gave the Hospital Management Board express permission to employ staff and all the staff were trained in India and Uganda.”
Oyekanmi thanked the state government’s support, noting that the programme is a four-year intervention that started on December 16, 2021.
Dr. Adedolapo Olaopa, consultant ophthalmologist in clinical surgical practice at the state’s Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, said LCIF’s intervention reduced eye problems among residents, noting that Lions Clubs had done well in providing both eye care services and infrastructure, including a good working environment and standard equipment.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Esther Ogundipe, expressed gratitude to the Lions Club for the cataract surgery conducted for her, saying her eyes are now better since the surgery.
