Nwangele (Owerri) – Mr Iheanacho Ihim, Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, on Friday reiterated his commitment to eradicate avoidable blindness in the state.
The Speaker spoke at the Umuozu Health Centre in Nwangele local government area of the state during a one-day free eye screening exercise.
He said that the eyes should not be disregarded because it was the window of the entire body without which the entirety of the man would be thrown into total darkness.
“It is therefore imperative for Imo citizens to check their eyes regularly in order to forestall sudden blindness,’’ he said.
The speaker advised the people of the state to desist from using unhygienic substances such as tobacco (snuff) and herbal concoctions to treat the eyes as they were harmful.
He further advised the people of the state to always consult qualified optometrists and ophthalmologists before treating eye ailments.
Ihim condemned the practice of buying medicated glasses without a proper prescription and urged Imo people to go for routine checkups.
The speaker said that the House would support corporate bodies, business men and legitimately organised groups to promote the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2020 vision of eradicating avoidable blindness. (NAN)