Governor Alex Otti has warned Abians to shun patronizing quakes especially in cases of eye challenges.
Governor Otti who gave the warning on Wednesday during the official flag off of free 1,000 extraction cataract suggeries by NNPC foundation in collaboration with Abia State government held at Abia specialist hospital Umuahia.
Otti who was represented by the commissioner for health, Professor Enoch Uche said that quakes have destroyed so many eyes and cautioned people to also reject quakes who practice couching.
He disclosed that 2,116 came for screening, 1,399 people were screened for the free cataract suggeries from Aba and Umuahia, as 477 people were booked for suggery.
While encouraging people to always seek for proper medical attention, Governor Otti re-emphasized his commitment to revamp the state health sector.
Otti revealed that 50 million blindness globally are caused by cataract, saying that it takes fifteen to twenty minutes suggery to save people from blindness.
He said that cataract have blocker bread winners, teachers and people doing valauble businesses.
According to him, the vision of the state government is to collaborate with organisations to provide healthcare services to Abia residents.
The managing director of NNPC foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe said that cataract is the leading cause of 43% of blindness in Nigeria and the project will be done across Nigeria, but they are in South East currently. She commended Abia state government for their support and other stakeholders for making the event a success.
Mrs Arukwe assured that the foundation is looking forward to make the project an annual event, while she introduced three kids between 5 and 7 years that will benefit from the free eye suggery depending on the resources available.
On her part, the adviser to the Governor on health, Dr Ngozi Azodo and the major of Umuahia north, Mr Smart Ihuoma described Otti as a blessing to Abia State, leading the state to greater heights.
They noted that since Otti assumed office, giant projects are going on and observed that the Governor has been proactive in things that promote all sectors.
Azodo and Ihuoma commended Abians for their support and coming out to embrace the intervention.
Also, a traditional ruler from Elu-elu Old Umuahia, Eze J.O Onwuzuruike expressed happiness for the giant strides going on across the state and applauded NNPC for their kindness to give people sight.
Responding, the administrator Abia state eye bureau, Dr Mrs Betty Emeka Obasi said they went to the grassroots to mobilise people to attend the event.
While thanking the state Governor Alex Otti, stakeholders in the state health sector, Dr Obasi commended the surgeons, doctors and nurses who are contributing to the success of the project.
Some of the beneficiaries of the free eye suggery including Mrs Ngizika Emeka from Ihie Ndume Umuahia, Ikpa Okorie from Umuhu Ezechi Bende, Chukwudi Ariwa from Ohuhu and Emeka Anaba commended NNPC foundation and Abia state government for organising the free eye suggery.
