|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By Naillatu Iddrisu
More than 300 residents of Tema Newtown in the Tema East Constituency have undergone free cataract screening as part of efforts to tackle avoidable blindness and improve access to quality eye care.
The Member of Parliament for Tema East, Isaac Ashai Odamtten, used the occasion to urge Ghanaians to prioritise regular eye examinations, stressing that sight is one of the most critical human faculties and cannot be replaced once lost.
Addressing beneficiaries during the exercise, Mr. Odamtten explained that the initiative was designed to support residents who are unable to afford cataract surgery, thereby reducing the financial burden on families and lowering the incidence of preventable blindness in the community.
He disclosed that he had previously assisted several constituents with cataract-related conditions personally, but financial constraints made it difficult to sustain such interventions. He therefore welcomed the partnership with health stakeholders to deliver free screening services to his constituents.
Medical teams identified a number of residents with cataract-related visual impairment during the exercise. Those diagnosed are expected to undergo free corrective surgery scheduled for June.
The screening programme was organised by the Columbia Union Conference in collaboration with the Office of the Tema East MP and SDA Valley View Hospital. It forms part of ongoing efforts to expand access to specialised eye care, particularly for underserved and low-income populations.
Medical Director of SDA Valley View Hospital, Dr. Francis Sey, urged residents to disregard misconceptions surrounding eye surgery. He emphasised that cataract procedures are safe and effective and encouraged those diagnosed to undergo surgery without delay.
Dr. Sey acknowledged that many patients become apprehensive when surgery is mentioned but assured those scheduled for the June operations that the intervention is essential to prevent permanent vision loss. He added that the hospital plans to replicate similar outreach initiatives in other parts of the country.
