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Trish Mukwazo, [email protected]

ABOUT 400 villagers from Tshongogwe area in Lupane District were last Thursday screened for eyesight problems and those with eyesight challenges received spectacles courtesy of Sightsavers Zimbabwe, an international NGO that deals with eye care issues.

World sight day

The community outreach programme was part of the World Sight Day commemorations, which were held at Tshongogwe Rural Health Centre under the theme: “Love your eyes, better eye health, better education”.

The commemorations were organised by Sightsavers in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Scores of people including the elderly attended the commemorations which saw 120 beneficiaries receiving spectacles out of the 400 who were screened.

Tshongogwe villagers

The eye camp outreach programme was open to all who felt they could be having eyesight problems.
Among the beneficiaries was Nokuthula Ncube, a Form Two pupil at a local school who is short-sighted and got a pair of glasses. Sightsavers project officer, Mrs Charlene Gumbo, said the intervention was part of efforts to strengthen eye health support.

“This is a day dedicated to raise awareness on the importance of eye health and its significant impact on our lives,” she said.
According to the World Health Organisation 2023 report, about 19 million children suffer from vision impairment, which further shows the urgency of prioritising children’s eye health.

Children attend the World sight day in Tshongogwe village

“When we neglect eye health, we are not just compromising sight, we are compromising the future of our children and that of society,” said Mrs Gumbo.

She said when vision problems are not addressed they could lead to low self-esteem, poor academic performance and demotivation to attend class.

 Tshongogwe villager during the ‘World sight day’.

“The challenges of eyesight problems go beyond the classroom as it can adversely affect one’s livelihood,” said Mrs Gumbo.
Representing the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland North, Mrs Fungai Nkaziwalela, said promoting good eyesight was critical and paid tribute to Sightsavers for helping communities.

“Everyone, including remote rural communities, women, girls and people with disabilities should have access to health services,” she said.

More Children attend the World sight day in Tshongogwe village

Mrs Nkaziwalela said in order to improve eye health, Zimbabwe has an Inclusive Eye Health Project running from 2022 to 2024, focusing on reducing preventable blindness and strengthening the health care system.

Children perform during the World sight day in Tshongogwe village.

“Today, as we are commemorating World Sight Day in this district, there are free eye examinations and provision of spectacles to those with eyesight problems. I encourage all of you to undergo eyesight screening,” said Mrs Nkaziwalela.

Provincial Medical Director, Dr Admire Kuretu, said having regular eye checks was critical and reported that 1 235 eye surgeries have been performed in Matabeleland North so far this year.

“Government is committed to treating all eye conditions including reversing blindness,” said Dr Kuretu.