The wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, on Monday, flagged off eye screening, eye surgeries, and issuance of eyeglasses to all the traditional rulers across the 13 local government areas in Ebonyi State.
Flagging off the initiative at the Women Development Center in Abakaliki, Mrs. Nwifuru noted that many individuals in the communities were suffering from preventable eye conditions.
The eye screening was organised by her pet project Better Health for Rural Women, Children, and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO) in conjunction with Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA).
She added that eye health is crucial not only for personal well-being but also for community development maintaining that when our leaders can see clearly, they can make informed decisions that benefit their people.
“Today marks another milestone in our commitment to advancing the well-being of our people, especially those whose wisdom, leadership, and cultural values continue to serve as the foundation of our communities, our respected royal fathers,” she said.
“Our eyes are not just organs they are windows to the world and many individuals in our communities suffer from preventable eye conditions that hinder their ability to see clearly. This initiative aims to address these challenges head-on.
“Eye health is crucial not only for personal well-being but also for community development. When our leaders can see clearly, they can make informed decisions that benefit their people.
“As the Grand Ambassador of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) and Founder of the Better Health for Rural Women, Children, and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), I am deeply passionate about accessible, quality healthcare for all, particularly the most underserved.
“This initiative, in collaboration with EBSHIA, is designed to address a critical but often overlooked area of health which is eye care. Good vision is essential not just for comfort and daily function, but also for leadership, engagement, and productivity.
“Many of our elders, including our traditional rulers, suffer silently from vision challenges that can be corrected through timely intervention.”