Uchenna Johnson
Awka
The Anambra State Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions as part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and improve access to quality sensory healthcare across the state.
Speaking during the inauguration in Awka, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, described the committee as a critical step towards strengthening the prevention, early detection and treatment of eye, ear and other sensory health conditions among residents.
Obidike charged members of the committee to develop a comprehensive, data-driven strategic development plan to complement the state’s Annual Operational Plan, stressing that effective planning and reliable data are essential for addressing the burden of sensory health challenges.
He noted that an estimated 84 per cent of blindness cases are preventable or treatable through timely intervention, urging the committee to translate such statistics into practical programmes that would benefit the people.
The commissioner also called for increased attention to hearing impairment and other sensory disorders, saying accurate data would enable the government to design targeted interventions and allocate resources effectively.
He assured the committee of the Ministry of Health’s full support and encouraged members to collaborate with development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to improve service delivery.
Earlier, the State Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme Manager, Dr. Chioma Ezeonyeka, said the programme, which is domiciled in the Department of Public Health, coordinates sensory healthcare services aimed at reducing avoidable visual and hearing impairments across Anambra.
She identified cataract, glaucoma and uncorrected refractive errors as the leading causes of blindness, adding that visual and hearing impairments continue to affect education, communication, productivity and overall quality of life.
According to her, recent glaucoma screening conducted across health facilities in the state identified 118 cases, while previous eye health outreach programmes screened 1,528 people and distributed reading glasses to 1,102 beneficiaries.
Ezeonyeka disclosed that the state’s 2026 Annual Operational Plan includes free eye and ear screening services, distribution of spectacles, glaucoma awareness campaigns, cataract surgeries for 100 patients and training of primary healthcare workers to detect and refer eye-related conditions.
Also speaking, Prof. Sebastian Nwosu urged the committee to broaden public awareness efforts by involving social scientists, communication experts and Nollywood practitioners to encourage more people to access available sensory health services.
He advised the committee to explore community-based funding initiatives instead of relying solely on corporate organisations and development partners, recalling how a traditional ruler sponsored cataract surgeries for 56 people as part of his birthday celebration.
“We may not always need to look outside for funding. We can start from home by engaging well-meaning individuals and philanthropists who are willing to support healthcare services,” he said.
Nwosu also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in managing resources to inspire confidence among donors and partners.
On behalf of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obidike formally inaugurated the Technical Working Group and charged members to provide strategic leadership and coordination in advancing eye, ear and sensory healthcare services across Anambra State.
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