Let’s together fight cataract
The Daily Graphic is compelled to highlight a pressing health issue affecting hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians: cataract-induced blindness.
A staggering 165,000 people – over half of the country's total blind population estimated at 250,000 – suffer from cataracts, a clouding of the eye lens, impairing vision. This reality demands urgent attention and concerted action.
Cataract, commonly age-related but also linked to genetics, diabetes, trauma and medication, cause blurry vision, and if untreated, lead to blindness.
The country’s surgical cataract coverage languishes at a mere 18 per cent, with fewer than 30,000 annual surgeries performed against a recommended 68,000 needed to clear the backlog within three years.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) attributes this shortfall to inadequate human resources and equipment, especially in rural regions.
Of 141 ophthalmologists, 570 optometrists, 900 ophthalmic nurses, and 800 opticians nationwide, distribution is skewed: six regions (Western North, Savannah, North East, Upper West, Upper East, Oti) have zero ophthalmologists – a glaring equity gap.
This tough reality demands immediate attention and action because 165,000 represents more than half of the country’s total blind population estimated at 250,000 people.
The human eyes are precious and vital organs that enable us to perceive and interact with the world around us. Our eyes play a crucial role in our daily lives, enabling us to perform tasks, communicate and experience the world around us.
The Daily Graphic, therefore, suggests that the government should allocate more resources to eye health programmes, focusing on cataract surgeries and training more ophthalmologists and ensuring the fair distribution of ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals to rural communities.
The government and other relevant stakeholders should look at reviewing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cover spectacles and low vision devices to reduce the economic burden of vision loss.
The Daily Graphic urges the government to prioritise eye health. Investing in infrastructure, ensuring equitable personnel distribution and funding eye health programmes are non-negotiable. Our eyes enable interaction with the world; preserving sight is preserving livelihoods.
The Family Health Division Director of GHS, Dr Kennedy Britson, rightly advises: seek help for vision issues; avoid concoctions; don’t borrow glasses. Maintain healthy lifestyles, limit screen time, and heed eye discomfort signals.
The eye health crisis is solvable with commitment. Let’s safeguard this precious sense.
The Daily Graphic implores stakeholders — government, corporates, individuals — to act decisively.
Our collective effort can illuminate lives, restoring sight and hope to thousands.
Cataract blindness is preventable with timely intervention. Let’s dismantle barriers — resource, geographic, financial — hindering access to care.
Our dear motherland’s progress hinges on prioritising health, equity, and vision. Mercifully, the country is endowed with all it takes to find solutions to the challenges.
The Daily Graphic demands action. Let’s protect Ghana’s sight by empowering its people.
With concerted efforts, we can reduce the burden of cataract blindness and improve the quality of life for countless Ghanaians.
The time for action is now.
The government must take the lead in addressing this crisis.
This includes allocating sufficient resources, developing policies to support eye health, and ensuring the implementation of these policies.
Companies and institutions have a role to play in promoting eye health.
Organising health talks, eye screenings and subsidising vision aids are ways to contribute.
Individuals must take responsibility for their eye health.
Regular screenings, healthy lifestyles, and seeking medical attention when needed are crucial steps.
The Daily Graphic calls on all stakeholders to join forces in tackling this crisis.
Together, we can make a difference and restore sight to those affected by cataract blindness.
