297 NUT members get free eye screening, treatment in Oluyole LG…as 10 diagnosed Cataracts readied for surgery

There was wild jubilation in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State midweek as 297 members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), mainly primary school teachers and pensioners benefitted from a free eye screening, treatment initiative, and distribution of eyeglasses called ‘digi Seyi’.

The outreach was organized by Oluyole local government in collaboration with a team of medical professionals from The Samaritans Heart For Humanity Foundation.

The free medical outreach, which held earlier in the week, targeted teachers across various public primary schools in the local government.

The outreach aimed to improve their health particularly their eyesights, and enhance the delivery of quality education at the grassroots as part of motivations for the workers.

The program saw hundreds of teachers screened, with many who received free prescription eyeglasses while 10 individuals diagnosed with cataracts were scheduled for surgery at no cost at a Specialist medical facility in Lagos.

Recall that Oluyole Local Government under the leadership of Olatunji in collaboration with the same Foundation, earlier in the year conducted the same exercise for residents particularly the aged and vulnerable women where over 200 received free screening and treatments. Others diagnosed of glaucoma and cataract were transported to Lagos to received free eye surgery, and have since regained their eyesight visions.

Speaking at the event held on July 24 at Methodist High School, Toll Gate, Ibadan, the Executive Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Asiwaju Akeem Olatunji, described the initiative as a deliberate step in the council’s human capital development agenda in line with the Sustainable Development Agenda of Governor Seyi Makinde, particularly targeting frontline education workers.

“Teachers are the bedrock of any society, and their health and wellbeing must be a priority. We realized many of them silently suffer from eye-related ailments that, if left untreated, could impair their performance in the classroom.

“What the state government is doing in term of quality healthcare delivery and creating access to the people are worthy of emulation, that is why I have repeatedly stated that we will continue to key into the vision and economic blueprints of Governor Seyi Makinde at the grassroots for an efficient trickle down effect.

“This is also in line with the governor’s vision that no sector of the economy is left behind. Since we’re pushing our education sector to be number one in Nigeria, the well-being and wellness of our teachers must also form part of our top priorities.

“That’s why we partnered with medical experts to bring this much-needed intervention directly to them at no cost so that we can encourage as many NUT members in Oluyole LG as possible to come and enjoy this periodic window of opportunity,” Olatunji stated.

Olatunji further disclosed that the eye care program would be sustained and expanded in subsequent phases to include non-teaching staff and wider community members.

Leading the medical team was Dr. Arisekola Adedeji, an optometrist with many years of experience in the profession, praised the council chairman’s commitment to proactive healthcare delivery.

According to him, visual impairment remains one of the most underreported health issues among education workers not only at the grassroots but in the state and across the country.

“Many teachers go on with their duties despite poor eyesight simply because they can’t afford or access proper eye care.

“This outreach is timely and impactful, not only are we improving the vision of these educators, we are also indirectly boosting pupils’ learning outcomes,” Dr Arisekola remarked.

In their separate goodwill messages, Comrade Akintonde Oladipo Olayiwola, the NUT Chairman and Ambassador Waheed Ganiyu Adesina, the Education Secretary, both in Oluyole LG described the Council chairman as a pragmatic leader who is passionately committed to the well-being of his people.

They commended the initiative describing it as very timely and impactful as beneficiaries will have improved physical wellness to carry out their official duties of impacting knowledge effectively into young minds.

Mrs. Opeoluwa Esther and Mrs Aremu M. O. both veteran teachera among other beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation for the initiative and showered praises and prayers on the LG chairman.

One veteran primary school teacher, who could not contain her joy said, “I’ve struggled to read clearly for years, especially in low light, assuming it was just aging. But thanks to this program, I now have proper glasses and guidance to protect my vision,” she said.

The event was attended by officials from the representatives from the Local Education Authority, and community leaders, all of whom commended the council’s leadership for what they described as a visionary and compassionate intervention.