Osun To Conduct Eye Test for 345,000 Students
The Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) has affirmed its readiness to conduct eye checkups for students in public primary and secondary schools.
Speaking during a press conference held on Tuesday at the OSHIA conference room in Osogbo, the Osun capital, the agency’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Rasaq Akindele, said 345,000 pupils and students will benefit from the “Imole School Health” program.
Dr. Akindele noted that the ‘Imole School Health’ programme was organized to ensure students who are facing vision challenges that have led to poor academic performance regain their confidence.
The OSHIA Boss said Governor Ademola Adeleke is compassionate about the good health of Osun people and has directed the agency to carry out a comprehensive free eye checkup for students in the state.
He added that students will be screened and examined, while those with refractive errors will be provided with corrective spectacles, drugs, and those whose conditions necessitate surgical interventions will be treated.
According to Dr. Akindele, “the training of school teachers who will carry out the screening will commence on Thursday, 20th February 2025. Thereafter, school-based screening of pupils using Visual Acuity Charts will commence from 24th to 26th February. From 27th February to 7th March, refraction and provision of glasses, drugs, and corrective surgeries will be carried out.”
While confirming that Gov. Adeleke will personally present glasses to deserving students, Dr. Akindele implored parents and guardians to avail their wards of the rare opportunity of Imole School Eye Health.
He also appealed to teachers, OSHIA staff, and medical experts to see the program as a call to serve humanity.
In her remarks, the Director of Public Schools, Osun State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Oyebola, said teachers are fully ready for the program across all schools in the state.
She stated that through the Imole School Eye Health program, the rate of blindness will be reduced in the state, as many parents do not always take their children to the hospital for eye care.
