About four months ago, precisely May 20, the International Association of Lions Clubs, District 404B1 signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ogun state Government of Nigeria, for the construction and provision of six modular eye centers funded by Lions Clubs International Foundation in collaboration with Latter-Day Saints Charites.
The MOU signing followed extensive and intensive preliminary works by the Lions District 404B1 Project Management Committee that captured eye care needs assessment, in Primary Health Centers in Ogun State, particularly the centers that can serve as feeder centers to the Lions’ Eye Care Clinic at the General Hospital Ota, Ogun state.
Through the recce by the Project Management Committee, six Primary Health Centers in Imeko, Ayetoro, Ipokia, Ijoko, Ilaro and Idiroko Local Government Areas were selected for the construction and provision of the modular clinics.
To overcome red tapism , the Project Management Committee swung into action immediately after agreement has been reached with Ogun State Government officials, long before the MOU was signed by the Lions’ District 404B1 PMC and Ogun state Government officials, such that by the time of signing the MOU the project was nearing completion. Renovation and extension of facilities and outright construction of new facilities were almost completed.
During the brief MOU signing ceremony in Abeokuta, the Lions’ Vision Project Administrator, Lion Lekan Babalola, a Past District Governor of District 404B1, confirmed to the Ogun State Health Commissioner Dr Tomi Coker that the six centers are already in the process of completion. Adding that all the state-of -the-art eye service equipment for the six centers are already procured. “The next phase of the project is the compulsory training for the personnel such as ophthalmologists, optometrists, Nurses and Data Technicians for all the six centers”, he said.
The Journey So Far
At the follow up meeting with the Dr Tomi Coker, the Ogun state Commissioner for Health, last week, Tuesday 9th August, the PMC gave an update on the current status of the project. According to the committee, all the six modular eye centers are good to go. The six centers have been fully equipped with the state-of -the-art eye service equipment. Adding that all arrangements have been put in place to commence a 3-day training for personnel including ophthalmologists, optometrists, Nurses and Data Technicians for all the six centers”.
According to the PMC, the project is due for commissioning at a date to be agreed upon after the training of the personnel. While the committee solicited for the support of the government on the issue of the outstanding personnel, it implored the Ogun State Health Management Board to be proactive and take responsibility in the management of the modular centers building and equipment after the handover.
The project after completion will provide solutions to major challenges of eye care in Nigeria in the areas of availability, accessibility and affordability. Suffice here to also note that the project will identify people with blinding conditions and recommend referral to Lion Eye Clinic facility at Ogun State General Hospital, Ota facility.
Projection
The five-year projection for the six modular centers according to the PMC are:
Total Patients = 61,563
Spectacles = 18,467
Cataract Diagnosis= 14,424
Cataract Surgeries = 5,843
Conjunctivitis = 12,860
Other Eye Conditions = 14, 415
The five-year projection, according to the PMC will be achievable because each center is equipped with modern eye equipment and well-trained personnel. Adding that three-day personnel training starts 17th August to 19th August, 2022.
The Equipment
Each modular center is fully equipped with:
- Screening Equipment
- Visual acuity chart
- Ophthalmoscope
- Rebound tonometer
- Pen touch
- Surgeon stool
- SLM2 slit lamp
- Gonio lenses
- Volks lense
▪ Refraction
- Digital visual acuity chart
- Phoropter head
- Combi unit
- Autorefractor
- Trial lens set
- Lens meter
▪ Provision of prescription eyeglasses
- Frames display stand
- Display mirrors
- Spectacle frames
- Cases
▪ Optical Workshop
- Edging machine
- Lens meter
- Polishing machine
- Tint machine
- Grooving machine
- Optical pliers
▪ Logistics Supports
- Laptop and Printer
- Generator
- Plastic and Metal Chairs
- Educational Materials/Flyers
- Standing Fans
- Office Tables, Computer Tables, File Shelve
- Lab Stools
- Furniture
Source: Dare Agbeluyi, Chief Publisher.
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