World sight day: we target drivers for free eye care to reduce road crashes- Director
By Gabriel Yough
Jalingo, Oct 13, 2022 (NAN) The Managing Director of NOBIS Eye Centre Limited, Dr. Gideon Avar on Thursday said his hospital targeted drivers in their free eye care outreach this year to reduce the rate of road crashes.
Avar, an ophthalmologist disclosed this in an interview with journalists during a free eye care outreach for drivers and members of the park community at the Jalingo main motor park to make this 2022 World Sight Day.
According to him, most of the accidents on the nation’s high ways were avoidable if only drivers check their eyes frequently to address their sight problems.
“The theme of this year’s World Sight Day is ‘Love Your Eyes’. In Nigeria, we added inputs on it to become ‘Love Your Eyes; Saves Lives’ and that is why we are here at the motor park to treat the drivers to reduce the rate of accidents and deaths on our high ways.
“It is surprising that most drivers who come to the hospital don’t see properly and one begin to wonder how they manage to drive from point A to B.
“Most of the accidents on the roads are avoidable, if only drivers are checking their eyes frequently, and that is why we are here to screen their eyes, offer free treatment and create awareness on the need for regular eye check.
“We are overwhelmed with the crowed that came out for the programme.
“We therefore, call on Gov Darius Ishaku and other well spirited individuals to support us to address this health challenge,” he said.
Malam Musa Yahaya, Secretary of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Jalingo, appreciated the management of NOBIS Eye Centre for the gesture and called on other organisations to carry out similar programmes for the good of society.
Some of the beneficiaries including, Alhaji Usman Useni a driver of over 42 years experience, Mr Christian Eze 22 years experienced driver, Mr Inuwa Tukura, Hajiya Maryam Hamza among others all expressed happiness over the programme and prayed God to bless the management of the hospital.
“I don’t see well at night, so I have stop night journey for the past ten years.
“I have been a driver for the past 42 years and this is the first time an organisation has come to conduct free eye care services for drivers.
“I want to thank the organisation for taking this initiative because any driver who cannot see well is a disaster to himself, the passengers and other road users,” Useni said. YGA/www.nannews.ng
