World Sight Day: Gombe advocates for regular eye checks

Professor Njodi gave the advice when he received a team of health practitioners from the Clinton Health Access Initiative, alongside officials from the Federal and State Ministries of Health, who paid him a courtesy visit as part of activities marking this year’s World Sight Day.

He emphasised that regular eye checks are essential for maintaining good vision and overall well-being.

“The human eye is a critical part of the body. We must not take issues concerning our eyes for granted,” Njodi said. “Many people lose their sight due to ignorance or poverty, but we must all be deliberate about protecting our vision.”

During the visit, the medical team conducted an eye screening exercise for the SSG as a prelude to a similar activity planned for staff of the Government House.

Impressed by the team’s dedication, Professor Njodi commended their efforts and pledged government support to ensure more people benefit from such initiatives.

 “I am impressed by your commitment to serving humanity,” he said. “My office will work out a plan to ensure that all Government House staff undergo eye screening. Preventive healthcare should be a culture for all.”

Earlier, the leader of the medical team from the Clinton Health Access Initiative, Zainab Mohammed, said the visit was part of a statewide outreach to promote eye health and early detection of sight problems among civil servants.

“We are in Gombe to conduct free eye screening for civil servants as part of activities marking World Sight Day,” Mohammed explained. “This outreach is being carried out in collaboration with the Gombe State Ministry of Health, with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Clinton Health Access Initiative.”

She noted that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and raise awareness about preventable blindness and visual impairment.

World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, focuses on promoting eye health and preventing avoidable blindness across the globe.