Date: 2017-05-22

An appeal has again gone to Nigerian Philanthropists to come to the aid of all those that have one eye challenge or the other who can not avoid the cost by bearing the expenses of their medications and operations.

An Ophthalmologist with the KWARA state Civil Service Hospital , Ilorin , Doctor Abubakar Ayinla made the plea in Ilorin the state capital while answering questions on a Radio KWARA Health Programme "Health Half Hour "

Doctor Ayinla who was the former chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) KWARA state branch said such philanthropists apart from assisting those with health challenge through funds can also come forward and access the care givers or interact with government , hospitals or the Ministry of Health to provide such services .

According to him , such assistance or support would assist the government and as well reduce the burden of those that have eye challenges or other health problems.

The Ophthalmologist described the eye as one of the most important part of the body but however, stressed that those that are blind still live but noted that those with sight enjoy life better and appreciate the good things in the society hence the need for people to visit the hospitals regularly for checkup to avoid sudden blindness .

Doctor Ayinla commended the "Jigi Maigida" free eye glasses and free drugs program that was organized as part of activities marking the golden jubilee of the state where according to him, five thousand people were given free eye glasses at an event that took place in Ilorin, , Offa and Kaiama. The medical practitioner noted that the Jigi Maigida free eye glasses programme was another effective way the government identified to reach out to the less privileged in the society .

He urged Nigerians not to wait for government at all times to take care of their health challenges as the government alone can not satisfy all the needs of the populace but however , appealed to government to increase the frequency of embarking on free eye examination free of charge to patients and provide more sophisticated eye equipments in the hospitals .

The former NMA chairman cautioned against going to the chemists to complain of one ailment or the other but rather visit qualified doctors in the hospitals where such doctors would prescribe and pharmacists would eventually dispense drugs at chemists.