Blissful Sight for Kids, a Non-Governmental Organization under the auspices of Bliss Eye Care Clinic has organized free eyes screening for over 500 children at Piisie and its adjourning communities in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.
The Chairman of the organization, Dr. Zackarea Al-Hasan Balure, told Info Radio in an interview on Saturday at Piisie that children in rural communities are disadvantaged to eye care services because their parents cannot afford the cost, saying this prompted ‘Blissful Sight for Kids’ to lend a helping hand.
Dr. Al-Hasan Balure observed that the common eye sickness among children in the Piisie and its environs include Allergic Conjunctivitis and Glaucoma, which he said, if not treated early can result in blindness.
In all 524 children's eyes were screened. Out of the number, a 'worrying' 459 were believed to have Infective or Allergic Conjunctivitis and 17 suspected of Glaucoma and Other Retinal Anomalies while 45 of them were diagnosed of no complications.
Meanwhile, medications were given to children with vision complications at no cost, while others have been referred to Upper West Regional Hospital at Wa for special treatment.
A parent, Maana Sung, whose five-year-old child was battling with Allergic Conjunctivitis for the past three years expressed her appreciation to Blissful Sight for Kids for coming to the aid of her child after receiving treatment on Saturday at Piisie.
Other parents whose wards also received treatment expressed joy and have urged the organization to extend its helping hand to other deprived communities.
Dr. Zackarea Al-Hasan Balure urged the children to stop putting unapproved chemicals in their eyes to prevent any serious hazards.