EYE CARE TEAM, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES MARKING WORLD GLAUCOMA WEEK 2015

INTRODUCTION
Eye Care Team is a voluntary Organization involving Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Ophthalmic Nurses in Ogun State. Our membership strength is about one hundred (100).
The Team has consistently been involved in creating awareness on Eye Health across communities in Ogun State by organizing public lectures, symposia, film shows, granting interviews in media houses and circulating publications.
To commemorate the World Glaucoma Week 2015, the Team organized a WALK to raise awareness on Glaucoma and its devastating effects on the individual victim, on the family concerned, the burden of management of the disease as well as social aspect of blindness especially in our society.
The overall event was considered a success.

WGW 2015- WALK FOR GLAUCOMA AWARENESS
TELEVISION INTERVIEW
The event started with a Television interview/ Discussion on Glaucoma involving the chairman of the team: Dr. Mrs. Onabolu O.O.O. (Consultant Ophthalmologist).
TAKE OFF
The event was held on Wednesday 11th of March, 2015. It was declared opened by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Prof. Jaiyesimi A. E. A.
This was done in the company of members of the team available, some management staffs, men of the print and electronic media from across the state as well as members of the police force.

ROUTE
From the flag off point, the walk commenced and went through one of the major roads in the Sagamu metropolis traversing in the process two palaces of paramount rulers and encountering hundreds of indigenes.
Pamphlets (Information Education Communication (IEC) materials written in English language was distributed to members of the public in the course of the Walk while members also engaged people on one-on-one basis. In addition, a public address system was also used to address the public from one of the accompanying vehicles.
The Walk ended at the market square (Awolowo Market, which also serves as one of the biggest bus garage in town), the day being a market day. The team representatives delivered talks on glaucoma in local dialect to further educate the public. Questions were entertained after the lectures. It was an interactive session.

LECTURES
What is Glaucoma?
How can Glaucoma blindness be prevented?
How can Glaucoma be treated?

PARTNERS/ INVITEES
The following groups graced the occasion:
1. Glaucoma Club (Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) – Partner
2. National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) – Invitee
3. Market Women Association – Invitee
4. Road Transport Employers’ Association (RTEAN) – Invitee
5. Nigerian Police Force – Invitee
6. Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) – Invitees

CHALLENGES
1. FINANCES
The Team was constrained to accept a low key event due to financial constraint. We, however, wish to formally acknowledge the Glaucoma Club of OOUTH for their financial, moral support and presence in this years’ WGW 2015.

Limited resources has been a constraint in making community-based eye outreaches and eye camps available to the people of Ogun State. The Eye Care Team Ogun has the capacity for these and more if donors and sponsors are available to give the financial backing.

2. IEC MATERIALS
There was paucity of materials available to the Team on important Eye Health issues including Glaucoma. Based on this, the Team is encouraged to source for and or develop such materials both in English and local dialects for subsequent global events that concerns Eye Health.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. We wish to use this medium to appeal to governmental, non-governmental, donor agencies and philanthropist to partner with the Team in ensuring that Primary Eye Health Awareness is raised in the interest of avoidable blindness prevention in all its ramifications.

2. We seek for free donation of IEC materials from agencies involved in Eye Care globally, with permission to allow for translation into local languages for the use of the Team.

3. We wish to encourage individuals, agencies of government, non-governmental organization to partner with us to ensure a more effective intervention in Ogun State.

APPENDIX
A. PICTURES

FIG. 1: Members of Eye Care Team Examining the public at the market Square.

FIG. 2: Ophthalmic Nurse Coordinating Market Women

A. GLAUCOMA IEC USED DURING THE WALK

Organized by

Eye Care Team, Ogun State Nigeria.

Contact: EYE CARE TEAM
Contact Email: pabikoye@gmail.com


Category: Public educational

When?

11/03/2015
All Day
iCal

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Where?

SAGAMU TOWN
OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, OOUTH
SAGAMU
OGUN
SOUTH WEST