By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Funsi, (UW/R), June 20, GNA – Educational and healthcare workers in the Wa East District have expressed excitement about a free reading glasses initiative, which aims at improving productivity and efficiency among teachers and nurses in the district.
The initiative by Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, in partnership with Bliss Eye Care, held at Funsi, Bulenga and Loggu, benefited over 300 frontline public sector workers in the district.
Some beneficiaries, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Funsi after receiving the glasses, said they had struggled for years to carry out routine duties because of age-related vision problems.
The initiative formed part of the efforts of the partners to promote good eye health among the workers and enhance service delivery in schools and health facilities across the district.
Mr. Timothy Naaba, School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) for the Kundugu Circuit, indicated that the intervention would help improve lesson preparation, classroom delivery and general learning outcomes.
He described the intervention as “a dream come true” as some teachers, particularly those in remote communities, struggled with deteriorating eyesight, which affected their work output.
Mr Naaba said despite the importance of regular eye check-ups, workers in rural communities found it difficult to access those services.
Mr Adamu Sayibu, the Wa East District Chief Executive, who spoke to the GNA on behalf of the MP, said the intervention formed part of efforts to motivate the workers to be committed to serving in the predominantly rural district.
“We saw this as another motivational package for our staff. When people know they are cared for, they appreciate it and are encouraged to work harder”, he said.
Mr. Sayibu noted that many public servants spend long hours reading documents and working on computers, which affects their vision, coupled with age-related vision challenges.
Dr. Zakarea Al-Hassan Balure, the Superintendent of Bliss Eye Care, said the exercise targeted teachers and nurses because their duties depended on good eyesight.
He explained that presbyopia, an age-related condition, affects teachers’ ability to prepare lesson notes and health workers’ ability to read medication labels and patient records.
Dr. Benjamin Aminyuure, the Wa East District Health Director, described the exercise as timely, as good eyesight was essential for quality healthcare delivery.
He said health workers with poor vision could inadvertently compromise patient safety and urged eligible staff to take advantage of the exercise.
On his part, Mr Yahaya Mumuni Abdul Rahaman, the Wa East District Education Director, explained that many teachers above 40 years experienced vision challenges due to age and prolonged exposure to chalk dust.
He commended the MP and Bliss Eye Care for the intervention and expressed hope that similar programmes would be expanded to benefit more teachers.
All the beneficiaries underwent comprehensive eye screening before receiving reading glasses to ensure only those diagnosed with age-related vision challenges were provided with the spectacles.
Those whose vision did not require reading glasses received sunglasses to protect their eyes from the harsh weather conditions.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Photo caption: Some beneficiaries undergoing the screening
Reporter: Phillip Tengzu
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