Concord Times (Freetown)
Ibrahim Jaffa Condeh
8 February 2010
Freetown — Manager of the national eye care programme in Sierra Leone has disclosed that a total number of 39,124 patients had been screened and being treated for eye problem.
Dr. Matthew J. Vandy told Concord Times that they visited 31 schools within the western area and that they were able to treat some 1,813 pupils.
"We have conducted 601 operations successfully. A total of 63 primary school teachers have been trained on how to detect eye problem on school pupils," he said.
Vandy noted that one major success of the clinic was the current training of 13 ophthalmic nurses that will soon become eye specialists, adding that the training course will last for a year.
"We are very much determined to see a sight free society for all and sundry by 2020. One of our major concerns is that we only have one vehicle to carry out our activities countrywide," he noted.
Dr. Vandy lamented the difficulties they are encountering in undertaking school screenings on eye infection and community visitations across the country because of the shortage of vehicles.
Senior ophthalmic, Esther Williams said there was need for people to go for eye test frequently in order to avoid problems in the future.
Ophthalmic student, Patricia Tucker said most trained and qualified nurses and doctors do not prefer to become eye specialists after receiving their papers.
"We call on the attention of the government to see that more nurses are trained on eye issue," he said.
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