A total of 1,025 out of 1,123 schoolchildren screened during a free eye screening exercise in Wa at the weekend were diagnosed with various eye conditions, leaving only 98 children with normal eyesight.
The screening, conducted under the “Blissful Sight for Kids (BS4Ks)” project, was organised by Bliss Eye Care in partnership with Ghana Vision, a Swiss-based non-governmental organisation, to improve eye health among schoolchildren.
The exercise screened pupils from schools within the Mangu Circuit, including Bishop, Mangu Methodist, St. Cecilia, Kambale, and Shakafatu Basic Schools.
Out of the total number screened, 997 children were diagnosed with pathological eye conditions requiring medication, 23 were identified with refractive errors requiring eyeglasses, while five children were diagnosed with cataract and glaucoma.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the screening, Dr Zakarea Al-Hassan Balure, the Superintendent of Bliss Eye Care, emphasised the need for proper eye care for children to help ensure their holistic development.
He explained that the project, therefore, aimed at ensuring that children with eye conditions received early diagnosis and treatment towards improving their academic performance and quality of life.
“Our aim is to help every child in the Mangu Circuit suffering from basic conjunctivitis, eye discharge, itching, tearing, or any condition so that their education will not be impaired because of vision”, Dr Balure explained.
He said one of the most touching experiences during the exercise involved a child who informed a friend from another circuit about the screening opportunity, leading to the diagnosis of a severe visual impairment.
He said the child could only identify the largest letters on the eye chart and required a minus five corrective lens to improve her vision. Dr Baluri attributed the high number of pathological eye conditions largely to poor environmental hygiene and allergic reactions, including dusty environments.
Mr Abudi Issahaku, the Wa Municipal School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Coordinator, said eye-related problems among schoolchildren were prevalent in the municipality and called for sustained interventions to remedy the situation.
“As you are aware, if a child has issues with the eyes, reading from the board or books becomes difficult, which affects learning outcomes, but once we address their eye problems, their education will also improve”, he explained.
Mrs Sortah Daguah, Headmistress of Bishop Primary School, expressed appreciation to Bliss Eye Care and Ghana Vision for the intervention, as it would enable the children to learn effectively in class.
“If the child can see clearly on the board, the child will be able to write well, read well, understand lessons, and perform better academically”, she added.
Mr Sulemani Idrissu Botigi, Assembly Member for the Mangu Electoral Area, said the free eye screening, consultation, medication, and eyeglasses will benefit many children
He stressed that children represented the future of Ghana’s leadership and required proper healthcare support to realise their potential.
