Lions Club offer free eye screening at La

Published in the Daily Graphic on 10/04/2010, pg 17(spread or middle pg)

Story: Matilda Attram
THE Accra Metro and the Accra Diamond Lions Clubs have undertaken a free eye-screening exercise for over 300 residents of the La Community in Accra.
The exercise, which was aimed at detecting and treating visual impairment conditions, was done in collaboration with the North West End Eye Centre and the Member of Parliament for Dade Kotopon Constituency, Mr Amasah Namoale.
The exercise was the month of March’s activity for the clubs and part of the association's social responsibility towards the community within which they are located.
It was also intended to educate the community on how to manage visual disorders.
The President of the Accra Metro Lions Club, Mr Kofi Anyinam Boateng, said the exercise was the result of the club’s concern to provide eye care delivery to members of deprived communities.
"It is an undeniable fact that the gift of sight is one of the precious gifts that needs to be preserved", he said, and added that throughout the world, most people lost their vision because they did not know how to manage such illness.
He observed that about 70 per cent of the people who go blind was due to three conditions namely cataracts, trachoma and glaucoma, which when detected early, could be prevented.
Mr Boateng said "The impact of the foregoing on the economies of the world, especially that of the developing countries in terms of treatment, loss of productivity and rehabilitation is simply enormous".
He also assured participants of the support of the association for further treatment after the detection of any negative condition.
The Chairperson for Zone 161 LCI, Ms Kate Baaba Hudson, noted that besides undertaking other charitable programmes, the association focused mainly on the prevention of blindness and the preservation of eyesight through educational programmes and eye-screening exercises.
She said the association had its headquarters in Oakbrook, Illinois in Chicago, in the United States of America.
"There are multiple districts under the international body, under which there are also districts, "she noted.
She said Ghana constituted Region 16 and was part of District 403-A. Ghana has 12 clubs divided into two zones, namely Zones 161 made up of seven clubs, and 162 which had five clubs.
“Clubs under Zone 161 LCI include Tema, Accra Metro, Accra Ebony, Accra Premier, Sekondi Takoradi Twin City, Ho Alpha and Kpando Olive Lions Clubs. While Zone 162 comprise of the Accra Diamond, Accra Golden, Kumasi Royal, Cape Coast Crystal and Legon Lions Clubs,” she stated.
Lions in Ghana have undertaken several activities this year which include, the donation of food iems, soaps and detergents, microwave oven, sunk bore holes and provided watertanks among others to several communities and institutions such as the Effiankwanta Hospital in Sekondi Takoradi and the Weija Leprosarium, as well as education on sickle cell and diabetes.