Residents of Ikwere, Obiakpor, and Etche Local Government Areas of Rivers State are benefiting from a free eye-screening outreach organised by ADIafrica.
The two-day programme, which began in Port Harcourt on Saturday, is aimed at improving access to basic healthcare services and reducing preventable vision problems.
Speaking at the launch, the International President of the organisation, Dr. Prince Mbachi, said about 340 people were expected to receive treatment during the exercise. He explained that the outreach was carried out in partnership with the Stephen and Judith Igwe International Education Foundation as part of efforts to combat avoidable blindness and untreated eye conditions across the continent.
Mbachi noted that poor vision goes beyond health concerns, affecting education, employment, and social well-being. According to him, the programme provided eye examinations, medications, visual field tests, and free eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other corrective materials for beneficiaries.
He added that early detection and proper treatment could prevent many cases of blindness, stressing that good health remains essential for productivity and development. He also revealed that the organisation operates in 19 countries and has conducted similar interventions in Uganda, Botswana, Kenya, and Ghana.
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The ADIafrica president called on the African Union to address high airfares within the continent and appealed to the United Nations to consider establishing a vocational university in Africa to promote skills development among young people.
Also speaking, Programme Director of the partner foundation, Monday Eze, said the initiative supports quality education by ensuring beneficiaries maintain good eyesight. He explained that the foundation, which currently sponsors about 50 undergraduate students, considers vision care vital to academic success.
Eze said the screening focused strictly on eye care and not general medical services. He encouraged the public to take advantage of free eye checks, noting that early diagnosis can prevent serious complications.
Beneficiaries praised the organisers and urged government authorities to partner with private groups to expand access to affordable healthcare for vulnerable communities.
