Sixteen pupils of Sang Islamic Primary School at Mion District, who had refractive errors, have received treatment and spectacles to enable them to see better as well as read for a long time without discomfort.

The free treatment and provision of spectacles for the pupils formed part of the Action Against Childhood Blindness (AACHIB) programme to increase coverage and equitable access to eye services to preserve and restore sight for children aged between zero and 15 years.

The Swiss Red Cross (SRC) and the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) in partnership with the Ghana Health Service initiated AACHIB in 2006 and so far over 200,000 children were reached where over 95,000, who were identified with eye defects, were assisted free of charge to undergo treatment.

The assistance included free medications, free spectacles and free surgery provided during a special camp service (AACHIB Camps) as well as static out-patient department services.

Dr Daniel Gyamfi, Northern Regional Optometrist, who accompanied a delegation of SRC and GRCS to present spectacles to the pupils at Sang, said the treatment offered the pupils meant that the headache they experienced as a result of the refractive errors would be prevented.

Mr Thomas Oyugi Okollah, Country Coordinator of SRC, said AACHIB programme partners would ensure frequent screening to ensure that all who had eye defects received treatment.

Under the AACHIB programme, over 20,000 children are expected to benefit from special screening with over 15,000 expected to be treated annually.

It is also estimated that over 450 children with refractive errors will be supported to acquire spectacles annually whiles an estimated 15 children will benefit from a major surgery every year.

Mr Abdul-Rahamani Yussif, Northern Regional Manager of the Ghana Red Cross, advised the pupils to report any challenges they might have with the spectacles for rectification.