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| First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti |
The First Lady of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, announced new initiatives aimed at safeguarding children's eye health during the 2024 World Sight Day celebration held on Thursday. The event, themed "Love Your Eyes, Kids," focused on preventing visual impairments among children in the state.
In her speech, Mrs. Otti stated that Abia is making efforts at “creating a system where no child is left behind due to vision impairment.” She emphasized, “The eyes are windows to the beauty of the world, a gateway to knowledge and opportunity,” and urged that “no effort should be spared to prevent blindness.”
Regretting that “too many of our children are facing preventable vision challenges – often undiagnosed or untreated, particularly in rural areas,” Mrs. Otti declared, “This is not the reality they deserve.” She added, “Our children deserve to grow, learn, and play with clear vision, unburdened by the avoidable challenges of poor eye health.”
In partnership with the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau (AEHMB), the state is making strides to expand eye care outreach by training more healthcare workers, establishing new eye clinics, and reducing the costs of eye treatments. Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, the AEHMB Administrator, echoed the importance of eye care, stating that “early detection and correction of eye problems are crucial” for children’s development.
As part of the day's activities, Mrs. Otti led an early morning walk for good eyesight from the government house to Ibeku High School, where the event was held. She emphasized that “regular physical activity like walking is beneficial for our overall well-being, including the health of our eyes,” explaining that “it improves blood circulation, which helps reduce the risk of eye conditions and keeps our vision sharp.”
The AEHMB has also conducted special outreach programs in 18 public schools, providing free eye assessments for over 3,600 pupils. Once the reports from the eye assessment examinations are completed, prescription glasses will be issued free to those in need, courtesy of Governor Otti.
Mrs. Otti commended her husband, Governor Alex Otti, for his unwavering commitment to improving eye health in Abia, noting that “his leadership and dedication have laid a strong foundation for progress in this critical area.”
With these initiatives, Abia State is taking significant steps to ensure that children can enjoy a future free from preventable visual impairments.