Tawiakwaa CHPS Zone declared vision-loss free

The Tawiakwaa Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Zone in the Awutu Senya District in the Central Region has been declared an "avoidable vision-loss free" community.

It means that no resident in those communities is needlessly losing his or her vision to preventable causes.

This follows an initiative by Operation Eyesight Universal, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, to eliminate avoidable blindness and restore people’s eyesight where needed.

The declaration, which was made at a ceremony, marked a significant achievement in the fight against avoidable blindness.

It also represents the realisation of the World Health Organisation's Vision 2020 strategy, launched in 1999, to eliminate preventable blindness globally by 2020.

Communities in the Tawiakwaa CHPS Zone, including Tawiakwaa, Nyarkokwaa, Ankamaase, Mensahkwaa, Sarkwa, Kakraka, Kofi Whettey, Brofoyedur, Oframase, Kofi Ansah, and Pobikwaa, have all benefited from the initiative. 

Event

The event was attended by traditional leaders, the Central Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Agnes Annan; the Awutu Senya District Director of Health, Dr Felix Dabee; the Head of the National Eye Care Unit, Dr Afake Hornametor, and the Country Director of Operation Eyesight Ghana, Emmanuel Kumah.

Also in attendance were health workers and community members.

Commendation

The Technical Advisor of Operation Eyesight Universal, Dr Boateng Wiafe, commended the Tawiakwaa CHPS zone for setting an example for the rest of the country.

He said that while the Vision 2020 deadline had passed, communities such as Tawiakwaa had shown that eliminating avoidable blindness was still achievable with the right interventions.

"We challenge you that your community will be a school where we will invite people from other districts in other regions to come and learn how we managed to get this done," Dr Wiafe said.

The Head of National Eye Care Unit, Dr Afake Hornametor, also congratulated the Tawiakwaa CHPS zone on its success, urging residents to become advocates of eye care.

He encouraged them to support friends and family members who might be experiencing vision problems by encouraging them to seek medical attention when the need arose. 

Gratitude

The Chief of Nyarkokwaa community, Nana Jacob Otoo, expressed gratitude to Operation Eyesight Universal and the Ghana Health Service for their commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people.

He also thanked the residents for their active participation and collaboration in making the initiative a success.

In total, 1,724 residents were screened as part of a door-to-door survey conducted in the zone. Out of the number, 112 people received treatment for various eye conditions, 18 were provided with glasses while 22 others underwent free cataract surgeries. 

At the moment, two residents are receiving support in glaucoma management.

The approach focuses on early detection, treatment, education and empowers residents to take control of their eye health.