To increase road safety throughout the nation, the Federal Government and Sightsavers, an international development organization, plan to provide commercial drivers with eye health education.
Joy Tarbo, the organization’s communications officer, issued a statement on behalf of Sightsavers in Abuja stating that the relationship with the Federal Ministry of Transportation was intended to educate commercial truckers and other road users about the value of maintaining healthy eyes.
It said that commercial drivers would also receive eye exams and eyewear as part of the initiative’s celebration of World Sight Day on October 13, which is observed every year.
Sightsavers said it will host an event to commemorate the day in the transportation industry, saying, “eye health education, screenings, and provision of spectacles for drivers in motor parks in Abuja, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Transport.”
It explained how the Nigerian eye health situation would get worse if stakeholders do nothing.
According to the company, over 403,000 people over the age of 40 were projected to have serious vision impairment in 2007 and over 1.1 million were estimated to be blind.
“With expanding populations, it is expected that these numbers would be significantly higher today,” Sightsavers stated.
It added, “This is a global problem, not just a regional one, and it is estimated that without concerted action the number of people who are blind across the world could triple by 2050.
“Good eye health has a ripple effect on society, improving education, wellbeing, economics and health outcomes.”
According to the company, there will be eye health exams at the national parliament in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Capital Territory Authority, among other organizations, to honor the day.
