By Asuquo Cletus
No fewer than 200 residents of Okuku and neighbouring communities in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State have benefited from a free eye care outreach supported by the Director General of the Cross River State Electrification Agency, Francis Ekpo.
The outreach, held on Monday, was facilitated by a Non-Governmental Organisation, Holistique Public Health, in partnership with the Nigerian Optometric Association, Cross River State chapter.
Speaking on the initiative, Ekpo said the intervention was driven by his passion to bridge the healthcare gap, particularly among rural dwellers who are unable to access medical services due to ignorance and poverty.
“I believe that health is wealth. It is unfortunate that our people are not well informed about preventive medicine. They often wait until situations worsen before seeking medical attention. What we are doing is bringing this opportunity closer to them,” he said.
He noted that many of the beneficiaries had never undergone eye examinations or checked their blood pressure in a long time, stressing the importance of early detection and regular health checks.
“It is important to help our people prioritise their health before it becomes too late. This is something I am committed to and will continue to do,” Ekpo added.
Also speaking, the Programme Administrator of Holistique Public Health, Ebube Bruno, described the outreach as impactful, noting that over 600 persons in both Calabar and Okuku benefitted from the initiative.
According to him, civil servants in Calabar were screened to enhance productivity, while residents in Okuku received free eye tests, medications, and corrective lenses.
“It is a thing of great joy to share the gift of quality sight with residents who ordinarily cannot afford eye care. This effort aligns with the ‘People First’ vision of the state government,” Bruno said.
He commended Ekpo and the volunteer optometrists for their sacrifice and urged other well-meaning individuals to emulate such gestures to improve healthcare access in underserved communities.
On her part, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association in the state, Dr Cecilia Ogechi Chukwu, said the outreach aimed at identifying undiagnosed eye conditions and ensuring prompt referrals for treatment.
She called on the state government to employ more eye care professionals and deploy at least one optometrist to each local government area to improve access to services.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the intervention. One of them, Mrs Agaga Grace, said the exercise helped detect an eye problem in her daughter that had previously gone unnoticed.
“I came for a check-up with my family, and we were all attended to. I am very grateful for this opportunity. God will bless those who made it possible,” she said.
Other beneficiaries, including Mrs Inaku Mary, Omale Priscilla, Comfort Offiong, and John Rose, also lauded the organisers for providing free glasses and medication, describing the outreach as timely and life-changing.
