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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Preparations have begun for the commemoration of the World Sight Day that has been rescheduled to take place on October 18, 2024 in Arua city.
This year the focus is on children, hence the theme: “children love your eyes.”
A week-long eye care camp will be held in the districts of Nebbi, Adjumani, Yumble, Koboko and Arua City preceeding the main celebrations.
Dr Lydia Namwanje, a ministry of health official overseeing the preparations unveiled an ambitious target of screening 10000 people and operating 1000 people.
Namwanje noted that Westnile has high burden of visual impairment but only few people get treatment.
She said for instance 450 surgeries for cataract were done last year out of 5000 cases reported.
Dr Pontious Apangu, the Arua City health officer, has apealed to the political and civic leaders, the media and religeous leaders to support the awareness creation drive to popularize this event.
He said this is an advocacy beat that could result into the government increasing supplies of medical equipment to the region.
Maengo hospital, Mbarara hospital, Soroti and Gulu hospital are supporting the event with experts and medical equipment to aid the eye care health camps.
