2,499 EYE PATIENTS GET FREE TREATMENT AT EKITI OPHTHALMOLOGY CENTRE
Written by Lere Olayinka   
Monday, 01 February 2010
A total of 2,499 patients with eye defects ranging from cataract, glaucoma and reflective error have been treated free at the newly established Ekiti State Ophthalmological Centre, with over 1,000 still awaiting treatment, the State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni has disclosed.
The one month free eye treatment commenced on Monday, January 4, 2010.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, who said in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti today, that eye patients have come from as far as Niger, Kogi, Imo, Delta, Benue, Edo and Lagos States noted that the success rate has been very high and the governor is highly impressed.
33 ophthalmologists and medical personnel from Cuba are currently working at the eye centre, which cost the State Government over N600 million to establish. The Ophthalmological Centre is the first of its kind in the entire African Continent and the fourth in the world.
The 33 Cuban ophthalmologists and medical personnel would in addition to their medical duties train ophthalmologists, nurses and other medical staff   already in the services on the use and maintenance of   the equipment   at the eye centre.
The government has also set aside special fund to assist indigent patients coming for treatment at the eye centre after the end of the period of free treatment.
“The crowd is the first and positive indicator of acceptance of this programme. That is the practice, when you come and see the number of patients outside trying to receive service.  It shows that Ekiti people are in need of eye care.
“From January 4, 2010 to last Monday, January 25, we have treated a total of 2,499 patients. Among them 1,995 are new cases and 254, follow-up cases. We have also booked 472 patients to be operated very soon. Among them, 342 cataracts and 122 Pterigium. Already, we have done 530 retractions,” Leader of the Cuban Doctors, Dr. Carlos Dupuy said.
Also speaking, Dr. Salami Kayode, one of the Nigerian Doctors working at the Eye Centre said; “The number of people that we have seen here goes a long way to underscore the fact that people are poor and government interventions such as this are needed to cushion the effects of poverty.
“We are glad that the success rate has been very high as several people are daily regaining hope of seeing again. I am sure so many people will be more than grateful to the governor for providing the facilities.”