A/R: 250 health workers, stakeholders train for eye health care
Over 130 Community health officers in the Ashanti Region have been trained in primary health care to screen, diagnose and treat patients with eye conditions.
Additional 20 queen mothers from four districts in the region including Afigya Kwabre, Atwima Kwanwoma, Bosomtwe and Ejisu were also trained to raise eye health awareness in their respective communities.
The initiative followed a report filed by Orbis International Africa, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) that works in sub Saharan Africa to reduce preventable and treatable blindness and visual impairment.
The report estimated that 200,000 Ghanaians are blind with 13,000 being children under 18 years.
Speaking at a media sensitisation programme held in Kumasi on Monday 9 July 2018, the Regional Health Director, Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang noted that about 50 percent of childhood blindness and visual impairment are avoidable once detected early.
In order to curb the phenomenon, he noted that 90 more SHEP Coordinators have been trained in the region to conduct visual acuity test and school screening.
In a presentation, Deputy Director of Clinical Care Dr Fred Adomako noted that Consumables will be procured for SHEP coordinators and CHOs as part of the Orbis support programme.
Orbis Ghana in partnership with Ministry Of Health (MoH), Ghana Health Service (GHS) National Eye Health Plan, Operation Eyesight Universal, Kumasi Vision Centre and Himalayan Cataract Project will also procure equipment for the four district hospitals in the region.
Mr Adomako further made a clarion call on the Media to be ambassadors of good eye health practices.
He added that the media must broadcast programmes that would encourage and promote positive eye health seeking behaviours.
Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com
