… Seeks for extension of Organization’s activities
People With Disabilities in Kogi State have registered there deepest appreciation for the dogged commitment of Sight Savers International to the promotion of inclusive health care delivery in the State.
The Executive Secretary, Kogi State office for Disability Affairs, Barr. Zacchaeus Dare Michael, gave the commendation at the closing out ceremony of Sight Savers International in Nigeria held today in Abuja, appealed to other international organization and donor agencies to emulate Sight Savers International by making intervention in the State.
According to the Executive Secretary, Sight Savers International has without mincing words, while in Nigeria, using Kogi State as a pilot to test run her all inclusive health agenda performed outstandingly well.
KOSODA Executive Secretary appreciated Sight Savers for the inclusive eye program and medical training program for health workers while in the state.
The Executive Secretary particularly praised Sight Savers International for building an all inclusive eye care hospital in Kabba, Okene, Idah and Ankpa.
The Executive Secretary lauded Sight Savers for equally training more than 500 health workers in the State under it health inclusive health care policy.
Barr. Dare also expressed gratitude about the efforts of Sight Savers International to subsidize treatment for all major medical conditions facing People with disabilities in the State through Sight Savers health inclusive health care centres.
While pointing out that surgery for cataract operation that ought to have cost over N80,000 in other health facilities is charged as low as N12000 in Sight Savers International inclusive health care centres, described the feat as unprecedented.
The Executive Secretary commended Sight Savers International for equipping hospitals with hospital equipment worth about N250m in the State, said the constant training of the State Steering Committee Members would remain remarkable to the people of the State.
While noting that KOSODA remains grateful that the constant advocacy by Sight Savers International greatly assisted with the establishment of the office for the Disability Affairs in the State, explained that constant advocacy using the media, visit and appeal to the State Governor by Sight Savers led to the establishment of KOSODA.
The Executive Secretary of KOSODA used the auspicious occasion of the closeout ceremony to ask that inspite the winding down of the activities of Sight Savers International, requested for an extension of the program and more robust inclusive health care programs approved for the State.
Barr. Dare assured that with health being a thematic area of Gov. Bello, efforts would be made to sustain the gains achieved through Sight Savers, said efforts would be made to protect the infrastructure and to continue with the inclusive health care Policies.
While promising to run campaigns and advert to raise awareness for citizens to place emphasis on taking care of their eyes, said efforts to make eye check and test a criteria for admission into schools compulsory so as to detect early eye challenges and forestall blindness would be pursued vigorously.
The Executive Secretary on behalf of the People With Disability in the State used the closeout ceremony to present an award of Excellence to Sight Savers International as the Most Distinguished Humanitarian Organization in Nigeria.
The award was presented to the Country Director, in appreciation of the immense impact made by Sight Savers International in the State.
The Kogi State Commissioner For Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Buba, and the Chairman, KOSODA were also attended the Closeout ceremony.