By Patrick Teah, Jr.,
The Grand Kru County Health Team’s Department of Eye Health, with funding from Sightsavers, successfully concluded a two-day District Eye Care Planning Workshop at Barclayville City Hall.
The session, held from Monday, December 15 to Tuesday, December 16, brought together local government officials, district health authorities, youth and women’s groups, persons with disabilities, and other stakeholders to develop strategies for improving access to quality eye health services across the county.
Emmanuel Kanneh, Program Manager at Sightsavers and facilitator of the workshop, explained that the engagement aimed to identify practical and inclusive approaches to ensure all residents, regardless of age or ability, can access eye care.
He highlighted Sightsavers’ mission of “a world where no one is blind from avoidable causes, and persons with disabilities can participate fully in society.”
Kanneh also noted that cataracts and glaucoma are among the most common eye conditions, with risks increasing significantly after age 50.
He urged participants to collaborate with the County Eye Health Department to promote eye health awareness, stressing that preventable blindness reduces productivity and overall quality of life.
Discussions also focused on reducing harmful traditional eye practices and encouraging routine eye check-ups at local health facilities.
County Eye Health Doctor, Dr. Semetta Dukuly, thanked Sightsavers and other partners for supporting community eye care initiatives, calling on participants to continue raising awareness and promoting best practices.
Philip Toe, representing the Office of the Superintendent, commended the donors and encouraged stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of plans developed during the workshop.
Participants expressed appreciation for the two-day planning session and pledged to serve as ambassadors for the County Eye Health Department in their communities.
