Africa-Press – Tanzania. SIGHT Savers have launched an Eye Care project- Mtoto Angaza worth over 750m/- that would be implemented in four district councils in the region for the next two years.
The NGO’s Country Director, Mr. Godwin Kabalika said the project that was started February this year will be run in Ikungi, Iramba, Manyoni and Singida, adding: “The aim of this project is to improve eye care services among children aged between 0 to 16 years, whether they are in school or not. We expect about 150,000 children to be reached for testing alone and 100 others will undergo eye surgery.
“In all of our previous projects we were able to reach different groups, but it was like we forgot this group. Fortunately enough, we have found a key stakeholder in the field, specialized on eye surgery and that’s none other than Muhimbili National Hospital to work with us hand in hand till the end of the project.” He further said besides testing and the surgeries, the project will also provide some with glasses and register some with eye care facilities in earmarked places in the districts.
The Country Director further noted that the Sight Savers will also provide training to about 100 health workers in order to improve their work performance in identifying and caring for children found with cataract or low vision. Launching the project, Singida Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Dr Angelina Lutambi thanked the NGO for considering her area, saying for over five years it has been attending to the residents with various eye problems “As a government, we cannot solve all the challenges facing our people…but must cooperate with sincere stakeholders like you, we will always succeed.
You have been an important stakeholder. You have supported us when we were in need … we thank you so much,” she said.
Dr Lutambi, however, said good nutrition for children was important, especially for infants, who face such challenge common in the region as a result of poor nutrition.
According to Singida Regional Medical Officer, Dr Victorina Ludovick more than 2.8 percent of the region’s population suffer from eye problems with Iramba and Manyoni districts leading.
