17 Feb 2014

Members of the public have been urged to get their eyes tested well in time to prevent unnecessary blindness.

Speaking at the commemoration of Letlhakane Sight Day, District Health Management Team (DHMT) coordinator, Dr Gobeze Solomon said loss of sight was a hindrance to a normal lifestyle. 

Dr Solomon said most of the eye problems were preventable and therefore advised people to seek medical attention well in time. He further said the health department was taking services to the community through outreach programmes in an effort to spread the message on preventable eye problems.

Giving a keynote address, a representative of Karowe Diamond Mine, Mr Shepard Dick said the District Sight Day was part of the international annual event focusing on the problems of global blindness and visual impairment.

“It is observed to create awareness about vision impairment and blindness which impacts on public health within nations and internationally, to motivate government officials, key decision makers and other stakeholders to understand the magnitude and socio-economic impact of eye problems and take keen interest in allocating resources towards the provision of comprehensive eye services that are integrated into health systems,” he said.

Mr Shepard stated that according to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates of 2010, 285 million people had visual impairment of which 39 million are blind and 82% of the blind are aged 50 years and above.

He further stated that the number of visual impairment was likely to increase to 76 million by 2020 if effective interventions were not put in place.

“In order to further improve our current situation and move towards providing universal eye health we need to adopt recommendations of the 66th World Health Assembly for the prevention of avoidable blindness through the global action plan for 2014-2019 which is based on the principles of universal access and equity, human rights, evidence-based practice, a life-course approach, and empowerment of people with visual impairment,” he said.

Letlhakane Vision 2020 Committee Chairperson, Mr Mackey Nthabane informed the public that they have implemented a programme of going around schools preaching on the importance of getting eyes tested.

Concurring with Mr Nthabane, Hypertension and Diabetes Educator, Dr Mondabi Deppinair also encouraged the public to indulge in exercising and a healthy diet to avoid diseases such as Hypertension and Diabetes as they also cause blindness.

Giving testimony, a Letlhakane resident, Mr Borekilwe Modiakgotla vehemently extolled the establishment of the Vision 2020 programme as they have enjoyed its fruits.

“I was sick for a year until I was taken to Serowe for eye treatment, after the treatment my sight has improved even though I cannot see clearly.”

When welcoming the public, Kgosi Baruntshi Kegapetswe of Letlhakane said he had observed that it took time for people to get help in public hospitals and concerning eye problems adding private hospitals were quicker to provide spectacles as compared to public hospitals.

Kgosi Kegapetswe said that with Vision 2020 programme he was hoping for the better. ENDS