A total 50,000 children in hard-to-reach communities in Osun would undergo free eye screening and treatment to improve the health of their eyes.

The project tagged, “Prevention of visual impairment through screening and dispensing of corrective lenses to children in Osun”, was facilitated by a non-profit organisation, Community Advancement Initiative for Self Reliance (CAI4SR).

The Executive Director of CAI4SR, Mrs Eni Ayeni, said the project, which is supported by Essilor-Social Impact Fund, would be carried out in collaboration with the state ministry of health and other relevant government agencies.

Ayeni said the project would be implemented in 15 local government areas in the state, covering five schools in each of the three senatorial districts in the state.

She said 5,000 free ready-to-clip readers would be dispensed to children. She added that 100 teachers would be trained on eye health in order to enable them to understand basic eye health care and be able to refer children with eye challenges.

The Director, Public Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr Gbenga Adepoju lauded the NGO and Essilor for the gesture and assured them of full support from the state.