Over 146,000 People Or 2.3 Percent of Ogun Estimated Population Suffer Eye Problems
An estimated of 146,728 people are suffering from eye blindness in Ogun State.
The figure represented about 2.3 per cent of the projected 6.4 million population of the state for 2006 – 2022.
The State Health Commissioner, Dr. Tomi Coker, made this known at a news conference held in her office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, to mark the 2023 World Sight Day.
According to the commissioner, most of those suffering from eye problems in the state are factory workers, who are exposed to welding fire without the protection of their eyes.
She explained that the increasing rate of blindness in the state was because of the poor media focus on the issue.
Dr. Coker said Governor Dapo Abiodun in a bid to save some of those having eye problems in the state, distributed protective glasses called “Digi Dapo” to factory workers, including 250 others in the society.
She listed some of the beneficiaries as those who work in mechanic villages because they use welding fire which damages their eyes.
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The commissioner said they have also spoken to business and factory owners to protect the eyes of their staff.
“We are speaking to factories and employers as well, they must make sure that they provide protective goggles for their employees as well as make sure that there’s safety around the workplace.
“We have realised in Ogun State, in particular, that the number of blind people that we see within the factory workers is far higher, the proportion is far higher among the people working in factories than in the general population,” the commissioner said.
She, therefore, asked factory owners to “Please, look after the eyes of your employees.”
The commissioner disclosed that the government has distributed 250 free glasses, otherwise known as ‘Jigi Dapo’ to the artisans at the Mechanic village, Abeokuta.
She said the artisans are prone to eye challenges due to usage of welding fire, which “causes damage to their eyes.”
“As we conclude, let us remember that our eyes are precious, and maintaining their health is an investment in our present and future. Let us embark on this journey of loving our eyes at work and beyond. I invite you to affirm, ‘I love my eyes’.” she added.
