Adeleke provides free eyeglasses to over 42,000 students
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
No fewer than 42,000 pupils and students in public primary and secondary schools across Osun State have received free corrective eyeglasses as part of a statewide vision care initiative.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, disclosed this on Wednesday during the presentation of corrective eyeglasses and medications to public school students, alongside the distribution of free medical equipment to Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) accredited government hospitals.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke explained that out of 345,000 students screened for eye problems across the state, over 42,000 identified with visual impairments received necessary interventions, including corrective eyeglasses, essential medications, and, where required, surgical procedures.
The governor emphasized that his administration is starting this intervention with public schools as a pilot phase, assuring that the initiative will soon be extended to private schools to ensure no child is left behind.
Additionally, Adeleke unveiled multi-million naira worth of medical equipment acquired through the Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) for accredited government health facilities under OHIS, stating that the investment aims to provide enrollees with the highest standard of medical care.
“Our administration remains resolute in revitalizing the health sector. In fulfillment of our promises, we have fully approved the training allowance for resident doctors and implemented the full COMMESS and CONHESS salary structures for health workers, ensuring they receive their entitlements promptly. We have also embarked on the massive renovation and upgrading of healthcare facilities across the state,” Adeleke said.
“In just two years, 200 out of the 332 focal Primary Health Centres have been modernized, and the remaining ones will soon follow. Furthermore, our government has enrolled over 25,000 pensioners into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme free of charge, ensuring that our senior citizens receive quality healthcare.
“In the spirit of inclusivity, we have enrolled about 10,000 persons living with disabilities (PWDs) into OHIS and provided thousands of assistive devices, including wheelchairs (some motorized), walking sticks, crutches, hearing aids, talking watches, ultraviolet creams, umbrellas, and eyeglasses,” he added.
