Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has commended the efforts of her husband in the health sector, boasting that he has posted some remarkable achievements in the critical sector.
Mrs Otti who made the claims Thursday while flagging off the free eye test for commercial drivers at the Abia Line Network main motor park Umuahia, said that significant achievements had been recorded so far under the watch of her husband.
She explained that the renovation of the Abia Specialist Hospital Amachara, and Diagnostic Centre Umuahia which was completely retrofitted by the Governor, demonstrated the Governor’s passion to revolutionalise the sector.
Meanwhile, one-week free eye test was declared by the State Government for commercial drivers in the state as part of activities marking this year’s World Sight Day.
The Abia First Lady urged drivers and residents of the state to take advantage of the ongoing revival of the health sector to receive necessary medical attention.
She described the eye as as a very vital organ in the body, and employed residents to always go for regular eye screening.
Mrs Otti said the free eye screening would also be extended to different Government Ministries for all workers as well as the local communities for rural dwellers especially the indigent ones.
Earlier in a remark, Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, said Otti’s administration was poised to totally overhaul the health sector and make available quality and affordable health care to residents.
She called on drivers and residents to visit the Eye Centre at the Diagnostic Centre to get adequate attention for their eyes.
Speaking also, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi, said Government decided to establish a Vision Corridor at the park to make eye screening reading accessible to drivers.
She expressed concern over the reluctance of drivers to go for eye checks despite the high rate of sight challenge among them.
According to the SA, six out of every 10 commercial drivers in the state need visual aid to drive well.
Dr Emeka-Obasi who gave the theme of this year’s celebration as :”Loving Your Eyes at Your Place of Work,” advised people to always visit eye clinics for eye screening.
She also advised people who stay long on electronic gadgets particularly phones and computer sets to take their eyes off the system at every 20 minutes interval , and to use the necessary protective lens.
Dr Emeka-Obasi noted with deep concern, the grave implications of exposing the eyes to electronic gadgets, and urged users to regularly go for regular eye screening.
She announced that there would be a free eye screening in all three senatorial zones in the state to mark this year’s World Sight Day, adding that treated glasses will also be given out to people.
Mrs Obasi applauded Governor Alex Otti for his massive investment in the health sector, saying that the total rehabilitation of the Specialist Hospital Amachara, and retrofitted Diagnostic Centre Umuahia, were confirmation of the Governor’s passion to overhaul the health sector.
She expressed delight that both health institutions now have state-of-the-art facilities, some of which are not found elsewhere in the South-East.
The SA said that under Otti, the health sector in Abia would be given the needed priority.
Mrs Emeka-Obasi urged Abia residents to take advantage of the prioritisation of the health sector to improve on their visual health.
