Eye Health : More School Children To Receive Assistance

After the success witnessed in the first two phases of the eye health project, Bright Sight, the third phase was launched in Yaounde on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Organised by Helen Keller Int’l Cameroon Office, and the Ministries of Public Health, and Secondary Education. The third phase of Bright Sight will see the project extended to other health districts in the Centre Region. And to the Littoral Region.

All Set For Takeoff!
The representative of the Centre Regional Delegate for Public Health, Dr Azoumbou Mefant assured at the launch that Heads of Health Districts have been sensitised to in turn sensitise school heads on eye health. “The project implementation schedule was agreed with stakeholders and all focal points briefed. While teachers were trained on basic diagnosis of eye problems in children,” Dr Azoumbou said. 

Structures Already In Place
The Regional Delegate for Secondary Education, Centre, Ndemba Sidonie Therese said there was already some organisation on the ground for the takeoff of the project. “We have Inspectors for Nursery and Primary Education, school infirmaries … Moreover, school heads will be trained on how to run the project. We count on the structures of the ministry to implement the project,” she underscored. 

Marked Improvements 
Concerning what was new about the third phase of the Bright Sight Project, Ndemba Sidonie said great improvements were witnessed in the performances of school children in the first two phases of the project. “We took indicators from when school children had not started wearing glass, and when they began doing so. We discovered that there were better results in school performance,” she explained.   
Representing Helen Keller Int’l, the Director of Food Systems, recalled how the project was launched in 2021 in the Centre Region and how much progress has since been made. It was later launched in Dschang in the West Region.

Accessing Quality Eye Care 
The initial 12-month Bright Sight project was launched in the rural areas of Efoulan Health District in Yaounde in December 2021, targeting secondary school children aged 11-15 years. The second phase was launched in Dschang, Menoua Division of West Region on January 19, 2023. “The goal of the project is to expand the availability, accessibility and quality of eye health services to underserved school-age children with limited access to sight-saving services,” explains the project factsheet.  

Screening For Refractive Error, Others
Secondary school students are to be screened for refractive errors and other eye diseases. Those with eye problems will be referred for treatment. Helen Keller will provide free eye glasses and spectacles for kids in need. Cases requiring surgery and other specialised treatment will also be borne by the project. 

No Statistics!
Though statistics on Cameroon are not yet available, refractive error occurs in 90 per cent of the global population, says Douanla Solange Vénérande, President of the National Opticians Board of Cameroon. It is for this reason that the charity, Helen Keller International, HKI Cameroon, through the Brightsight Project, is supporting the Ministries...