NGO organises free eye screening for 2,200 people

Young Heart Foundation (YHF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), supporting the less privileged in the society, is organising a week’s free eye screening exercise for the people of Madina and Asofa-Ofankor both suburbs in Accra.

The NGO, whose primary mission is to support orphans, widows, girl- child education and people living with HIV and AIDS, organised the screening exercise to create an opportunity that would bring experts together and give free eye screening as well as educate the beneficiaries on health issues.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Atopi Thompson, Coordinator, YHF, said the primary objective of the NGO is to give back to the society, especially the vulnerable.

He said the exercise which is targeted at 2, 200 beneficiaries was necessitated to enhance quality eye health conditions of the people.

This, he explained, was because some of the residents suffer from eye problems, but lack the financial resources to seek medical attention.

“So far since the start of the exercise, it has been detected that 60 per cent of the beneficiaries are likely to go blind, with glaucoma being in the lead of some of the cases diagnosed,” he said.

He advised the public to visit the hospitals on regular basis and should not wait for illnesses to strike them before seeing the doctor.

Mr Essel Mensah Ewool, Associate Project Coordinator, YHF, said the exercise which started from November 23 and expected to end on November 30 is partnered by United States of America for Africa and Sight for Africa.

He appealed to the government to channel a percentage of the oil fund into health.