Mohammed Shosanya
The Lions Clubs International District 404, Nigeria,has launched the construction of a world class Eye Care Hospital, Diabetes and Cancer Research Centre in Abuja, Nigeria.
The Project Director,Dr. Lanre Adebayo,who conveyed this in a press statement,explained the project was aimed at addressing an area of severe gap in Nigeria’s health care system, adding that it would also complement existing public health infrastructure in the country.
He said,an estimated 1.13 million Nigerians are currently blind while 4.25 million adult are partially blind noting that the prevalence rate was higher in the Northern states.
He emphasized that two major causes of blindness included cataract and glaucoma, adding that these were preventable.
He noted that eye care service in relation to Nigeria’s population was grossly inadequate, adding that this was the reason for the intervention of the Lions Clubs International to support this aspect of the health sector.
He explained that the Eye Care Hospital, Diabetes and Cancer Centre was conceived to be world class which would cater both for the poor and rich, adding that it would feature a health extension service especially to accommodate the rural poor.
The hospital will feature the first Eye Bank in Nigeria, while reducing incidences of avoidable childhood and old age related blindness. It would also establish a global standard research centre on diabetes and childhood cancer in Nigeria.
Besides,pursuant to its goal of raising a sum N3.5M for the project, the Lions Clubs,has appointing project champions whose responsibilities include personal and corporate donations to the project
The statement said that there are several benefits for donors including naming of specific components of the after such donors.
Other benefits are the award of Melvon Jones Fellowship, Knight of the Blind, a place of mention in the Donors Hall of Fame in the Hospital, as well as the Lions Clubs Eye Care Ambassadors. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organisation with about 1.35 million members in over 206 countries.
Founded in 1917, the Club has been identified globally for its fight against blindness.Recently, it expanded the scope of its work to include care for the environment, feed the hungry and aiding the seniors and the disabled.
The Lions Clubs was introduced into Nigeria in 1963. The Nigerian chapter has continued to function effectively as part of this global service network while helping local communities.
The Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, Lion Engr. H.O. B Lawal,implored individuals and corporations to donate towards the construction of this unprecedented humanitarian project.
Shedding light on the project, the Secretary of the Project Steering Committee, Dr.(Mrs) Lami O. Ahmed, the Eye Hospital Project,said the Club has provided over 25% of the entire project cost through securing more than one hectare of land, adding that the building plan of the project has been approved by the Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
She added that the project, when completed, would not only expand the scope and quality of eye care service in the country, but save the country a lot of foreign exchange which is currently being spent on foreign treatment.
She disclosed that the formal launch of the project will be announced later.
