Jigawa Takes Campaigns On Eye Care To Grassroots

Worried about the high prevalence of eye health challenges across the state, the Jigawa State Ministry of Health has taken the campaigns on the eye treatment to some selected rural communities in the state. 

The three day exercise, which, was tagged “Inclusive Eye Health Project: Strengthening Eye Health in Jigawa State” is expected to cover the entire 27 local government areas and it is being carried in collaboration with some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), namely, Health & Development Support Programme, (HANDS), Cbm and BMZ, a Foundation by German Ministry of Finance Economic Cooperation and Development.

The campaign, which ended  on Saturday as a follow up to a similar enlightenment forum recently held in the state capital aimed at promoting comprehensive and inclusive eye health, has received widespread acclaim from stakeholders and beneficiaries alike.

The event, which focused on the role of the media in sensitizing and mobilizing the general public, was attended by prominent journalists and health experts.

For a start, three communities in two local government areas were selected as the hosts for the pilot programme. They included Gamsarka Ward in Auyo local government council and Jabo and Bulangu communities both in Kafin Hausa local government area.

The Programme Officer of HANDS Jigawa Office, Mr Titus Peter stated that, “Detecting the signs of eye ailments and referring cases to professional health facilities is pivotal in our quest to combat blindness,” 

According to him, “We’re here to mobilize and sensitize community stakeholders on Inclusive and comprehensive eye health programme which has been going on Jigawa state since 2022.

“To ensure that we get to the target audience, we have decided to engage two representatives from each of the community stakeholders such as traditional, religious community leaders traditional birth attendants, midwives, youths organization’s and Fishers’ associations among other groups”.

Peter, who commended the turn out of participants said the development was an indication that the message was being received by the people and the impact of the message was being felt.

His words, “The turn is massive because as you know, we invited just 20 participants, but those that turned out were more than 20. I can confirm to you that from the report that we’ve got, similar huge attendance was recorded in the other locations that we covered with this campaign.

For instance in Jabo community, 22 people were in attendance while about 30 people attended the Bulangu forum, he said, emphasising that in no distant time, there shall a follow up to ensure that the message was not lost on the people.

According to him, “Time is coming when we shall come back to this community to remind them and review the progress recorded and it will happen as we see the patience inflow in the data that we receive monthly.” 

Mohammed Saleh, the Deputy Co-ordinator of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the State Ministry of Health who led other members of the team to Kalgwai Primary Health Centre, (PHC) in Gamsarka Ward said he awareness campaign was aimed at sensitizing the people, especially at rural on the need to avail themselves with medical facilities close to them.

According to the official, community awareness and mobilization on detecting the sign of eye ailments and referring the case to professional at health facilities is pivotal in addressing the prevalence of blindness in Jigawa state.

It will  be recalled his presentation which focused on the overview of BMZ’s activities in the State, the Eye Care Coordinator at the Jigawa State Ministry of Health Dr. Abdulrahman Umar Aminu explained that, the organization has been collaborating with the state government to build the capacity of health workers, mobilize communities to identify eye cases, and provide Ophthalmic equipments to health facilities.

“Through the BMZ’s intervention, over 70,000 cataract surgeries and 48,000 trichiasis surgeries have been conducted free of charge in Jigawa State and additionally, over 7,000 reading glasses have been distributed to school children, giving them a new lease on life,” he highlighted.

“The impact of BMZ’s campaign is evident in the lives of countless individuals who have benefited from their services. For many, the prospect of regaining their sight is a dream come true.”