Abia govt takes free eye care outreach to Aba South, screens over 280 residents

The Abia State Government has intensified efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services with a free eye screening outreach that benefited hundreds of residents in Aba South Local Government Area.

The exercise, organized by the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau under the administration of Governor Alex Otti, was held at the Aba South Local Government Area Secretariat and provided free eye screening, medications and eye drops to residents.

According to the Bureau, a total of 512 people registered for the outreach, while more than 280 beneficiaries received eye screening and other eye care services from a team of optometrists and eye health professionals.

Speaking at the event, the Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, said the initiative aligns with the state government’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to all residents, especially vulnerable and underserved groups.

She emphasized that all services rendered during the outreach were provided free of charge, assuring participants that those who required medications and reading glasses would receive them at no cost.

Dr. Emeka-Obasi noted that not all eye conditions require the use of glasses, explaining that some cases demand further clinical evaluation and proper diagnosis before treatment can be prescribed.

She stressed the importance of comprehensive eye examinations in ensuring that patients receive appropriate care tailored to their specific conditions.

Beneficiaries who required further investigations and specialized treatment were referred to the Eye Centre at Aba General Hospital for comprehensive examination and follow-up care. Those who could not be attended to during the outreach because of the large turnout were also referred to the facility.

The Bureau disclosed that eye screening services for all referred beneficiaries would be provided free of charge at the Eye Centre, while medications and glasses would be made available at heavily subsidized rates.

The outreach recorded a significant turnout, reflecting growing awareness among residents about the importance of eye health and the increasing demand for accessible eye care services across the state.

The Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau commended residents for their orderly conduct and active participation during the exercise and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Governor Otti’s healthcare agenda through sustained eye health interventions, community outreach programmes, public enlightenment campaigns and improved access to quality eye care services across Abia State.