Over 200 residents of Oluyole Local Government Area (LG) in Oyo State were beneficiaries of a free eye glasses at a medical outreach organized by the council in collaboration with Samaritans Foundation and two others.
The event, held on Friday, November 8 at the Oluyole LG Secretariat, Idi-Ayunre saw a large turnout of individuals, many of whom had struggled with vision issues and lacked the means to afford corrective eyewear.
Engr. Akeem Olatunji, the executive chairman of Oluyole disclosed that Oluyole’s collaboration with Samaritans Heart For Humanity Foundation, Compassionate For The Aged Foundation, and Salvation Initiative For The Vulnerables for the free medical outreach was key in the life of his administration.
He also disclosed that after diagnostic exercise, persons with normal eye challenges would get the needed treatment alongside free eyeglasses while severe cataract cases would be taken to Lagos for proper surgery all for free.
The free eye care initiative by the local government was in partnership with a team of volunteer medical professionals and optometrists, who conducted the eye tests and helped distribute the glasses. Eyewear of varying prescriptions were available, and those who required more specialized lenses were given referrals for further treatment.
The outreach also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about common eye conditions such as cataracts, and refractive errors, which are prevalent in many communities but often go untreated due to a lack of awareness or access to healthcare.
Highlight of the day was the provision of free prescription eyeglasses, which were given to those in need after conducting eye examination on participants.
Persons of all ages and both genders attended the outreach but a special focus was given to senior citizens and children who are often more vulnerable to vision impairments.
In addition to eye care diagnostic and services, the combined medical team also provided free general health check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, and health consultations.
The outreach, according to Olatunji, was part of the LG’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility and support the well-being of its people at the grassroots, assuring that logistical arrangements have been concluded to safely transport persons with severe cataract cases to the medical facility in Lagos for free surgery.
Residents from various communities especially the aged within the local government flocked to the local government Secretariat, early in the morning, eager to take advantage of the free healthcare services being offered.
Speaking before declaring the event officially opened yesterday, the executive chairman expressed his satisfaction with the turnout and what the people of the local government stand to benefit when they continue to support and cooperate with the present administration at both state and local government levels.
He emphasized the importance of making healthcare services available to all particularly at the grassroots where there is high level of people with economic vulnerability who might otherwise struggle to access them.
He stated that the free medical outreach was in line with the vision of governor Seyi Makinde towards provision of affordable and qualitative healthcare system in the state to engender a healthy population.
While commending the partnering Foundations for believing in Oluyole’s vision and delivery of good governance at the grassroots to enter into such strategic partnership with the council, Olatunji noted that the gesture would go a long way to improve on overall well-being of all participants.
He assured that his administration would continue to collaborate and partner with stakeholders across various sectors to bring the needed grassroots development to Oluyole local government.
“We are committed to ensuring that our people have access to the basic healthcare services they deserve. Many of the individuals here today would have had to spend a significant amount of money to get their eyes tested and receive glasses.
“But with this outreach, Oluyole local government in collaboration with Samaritans Heart For Humanity Foundation, Compassionate For The Aged Foundation, and Salvation Initiative For The Vulnerables, we are making that care available to them for free.
” We have made provisions for those battling with advance case of cataract to be transported to Lagos where they will receive free surgery from medical experts for free.
“Everything we’re doing in Oluyole local government is in tandem with the vision of the executive governor who gave Oyo state the best roadmap to a sustainable development agenda. It is a holistic problem solving blueprints and that’s why we’re fully keyed into it for cohesion of policies and programs of both state and grassroots levels.
For many participants, the event was a life-changing experience. Alhaji Tiamiyu and Mrs. Omolabake, two aged persons, expressed their gratitude after receiving free diagnostic services and a pair of glasses each. “I have been struggling to see clearly for months now. I could not afford the cost of eyeglasses, so I had just been managing. Today, I am so happy that I can finally see properly again,” Mrs. Omolabake said, beaming with joy.