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Harambee Africa International (HAI), a Catholic Development foundation, has extended a helping hand to more than 500 individuals with diverse eye conditions in Nigeria’s remote and underserved communities. HAI’s dedicated efforts aim to address the pressing issue of untreated visual impairments, particularly in the rural regions of Nigeria’s Enugu State.
Those residing in these remote communities underwent thorough medical screenings, followed by essential treatments and specialized care, as reported by HAI on September 15.
The report acknowledges the alarming rate of visual impairment in the Nigerian State, attributing the lack of access to medication as a significant factor leading to untreated conditions. HAI recognizes the unique challenges faced by Nigeria in providing healthcare to its rural and marginalized populations, with blindness and visual impairment emerging as particularly urgent concerns.
Uncorrected refractive errors, cataracts, and glaucoma are identified as the predominant causes of visual problems in these underserved regions. HAI is collaborating closely with the Niger Foundation Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, a Nigerian institution dedicated to enhancing the health of vulnerable communities in Enugu State.
The hospital is actively involved in an initiative to enhance the vision of rural residents in the Enugu area, with financial support from HAI, which is instrumental in bringing these vital projects to fruition.
HAI outlines the key objectives of the project, which encompass preventing and treating blindness and visual impairment in rural areas and establishing an Ophthalmology Center specializing in cataract surgeries. The results achieved thus far are described as remarkable, with 565 patients benefiting from free eye examinations, facilitating their access to essential care.
The primary focus has centered on rural communities, with 121 individuals receiving free screenings at the Iwollo Rural Clinic. In addition to visual acuity assessments and screening tests, patients have gained access to refractive corrections and consultations with ophthalmology specialists when required. The initiative has embraced a holistic approach to health, offering free medical examinations, including blood pressure and blood sugar measurements.
HAI underscores the considerable healthcare challenges faced by Nigeria, including resource availability and the equitable distribution of healthcare facilities. The additional strain posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare system further emphasizes the importance of improvement projects in rural Enugu, aimed at bridging the gap in access to ophthalmic care.
