The Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) has affirmed its readiness to conduct free eye checkups for 345, 000 students in both public primary and secondary schools in the State.
Speaking during a press conference held on Tuesday in Osogbo, the agency’s Executive Secretary, Rasaq Akindele disclosed that 345,000 students from both primary and secondary schools in all local government areas of the State will benefit from the medical outreach tagged: “Imole School Health” program.
Akindele said 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.
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 Akindele, “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.
“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, Akindele implored parents and guardians to avail their wards of the rare opportunity of Imole School Eye Health.
He appealed to OSHIA staff, teacher 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 across all schools in the State areare fully ready for the program.
She stated that the rate of blindness will be reduced in the state through Imole School Health Program, as many parents do not pay attention to their children eye care, while some couldn’t afford paying for eye care hospital charges.
