Over 300 Journalists, Families Benefit from Free Eye Care

By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi

In commemoration of this year’s World Sight Day, the Department of Ophthalmology Nigeria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi has conducted free eye screening and treatment to over 300 Journalists and their families in the state.

The team leader from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital Bauchi, Dr Hafsat Isa, at the flagging off of the exercise, said the World Sight Day is set aside to provide enlightenment about eye health to the public at the NUJ Press Center, Bauchi.

She said the theme of this year’s World Sight Day is “Making Vision Count” adding that the enlightenment is to promote eye health increase in Bauchi state.

“According to research, 5 out of 100 people are blind while 80 percent of blindness can be preventive or creative” she said.

Also speaking, Nuhu Mallam Nuhu, Eye Clinic Manager, ATBUTH, said “some of the tested persons will be provided with eye treatment after the screening while we will also recommend eye glasses for others and referred others were necessary.”

In his remarks, the state Chairman of NUJ, Ibrahim Mallam Goje said the eye screening for the media practitioners is to ensure that they have good eye health.

He said “as Journalists while performing your daily activities, you always come in contact with computers, IPad among other gadgets. According to research, out of 10 people that comes in contact with computer, 4 are always diagnosed with eye problem hence the need for adequate eye screening and treatment.”

Mallam Goje commended the ATBUTH medical team for partnering with NUJ to conduct the free eye screening for its members to ensure they enjoy good eye health.

The Chairman used the opportunity to call on other professional bodies to partner with the state Council of NUJ for the good of all parties.


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