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Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
A former chairman, Nigeria Medical Association(NMA), Kwara State branch, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla has appealed to Nigerian philanthropists to come to the aid of persons with one eye challenge or the other and who cannot afford the cost of medication.
Ayinla who is an Ophthalmologist made the appeal in Ilorin, the state capital while speaking with journalists on the state of health in the country.
According to him, “such assistance would help the government and as well reduce the burden of those that have eye challenges or other health problems.
He said that, such philanthropists apart from assisting those with health challenge through funds can also come forward and access the care givers or interact with government hospitals or the Ministry of Health to provide such services.
The Ophthalmologist described the eye as one of the most important parts of the body but however, stressed that those that are blind still live.
He also noted that those with sight enjoy life better and appreciate the good things in the society hence the need for people to visit the hospitals regularly for checkup to avoid sudden blindness.
Ayinla commended the “Jigi Maigida” free eye glasses and free drugs programme that was organised as part of activities marking the golden jubilee of the state where according to him, 5,000 people were given free eye glasses at an event that took place in Ilorin, Offa and Kaiama.
The medical practitioner said that the Jigi Maigida free eye glasses programme was another effective way the government identified to reach out to the less-privileged in the society.
He urged Nigerians not to wait for government at all times to take care of their health challenges as the government alone cannot satisfy all the needs of the populace but however , appealed to government to increase the frequency of embarking on free eye examination free of charge to patients and provide more sophisticated eye equipments in the hospitals .
