Ruby Rabiu
16 November 2009
Abuja — Determined to reduce the number of Nigerians who lose their sight and become blind, the Federal Ministry of Health is partnering with Hellen Keller International (HKI) to prevent blindness and other tropical diseases in the country.
According to figures released by the World Health Organization, 45 million people are blind worldwide, and another 314 million have impaired vision due to eye diseases or uncorrected refractive errors.
The health minister, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin who made this known at the weekend when the country representative of Hellen Keller International, Dr. Omo Ohiokpehai paid him a courtesy visit said the partnership would help correct many refractive errors which unfortunately lead to blindness.
The minister said that the issues of disease prevention and access to health facilities to the vulnerable is of paramount importance to government adding that they are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that Nigerians get quality health care.
He said that his Ministry is ready and willing to collaborate with Hellen Keller international to combat blindness since it is a major health issue in the country.
Earlier, the country representative of Hellen Keller International, Dr. Omo Ohiokpehai said that for over 10 years, HKI has been involved in the control and combat of global health threats to blindness and malnutrition.
She said that Hellen Keller International has since its inception worked with international development organizations, local and national governments, and played key roles in research and advocacy for interventions that significantly reduce disease burden.
According to her HKI supports twice yearly, vitamin A supplementation in 11 states in Nigeria with direct benefit to over 5.3 million children.
These states include, Adamawa, Borno, AkwaIbom, Benue, Plateau, Jigawa, Yobe, Kwara, Kogi, Gombe and Taraba.
Other programmes carried out by the organization include: Trachoma control in Borno and Adamawa states with direct benefit to over 308,000 people.
She disclosed that so far HKI has spent over $1,457,291 USD for year 2009 in vitamin A supplementation and other eye health programmes.
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