Sight Savers International (SSI) has implored government to come up with an Eye Policy as the country embarks on the preparation of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP).
SSI Zambia Chapter Country Manager Joseph Musanje notes this is important because key areas which are backed by government policy have continued to receive attention.
Mr. Musanje says the eye policy will compel government and the
concerned stakeholders to give attention to problems of sight related nature.
He cited the National HIV/AIDS policy, National Youth Policy and Decentralization Policy among other policies in the country as some of those that have received support from the government, other stakeholders and cooperating partners.
Mr. Musanje was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
He disclosed that his organisation pushed for the setting up of eye policy in the then Fifth National Development Plan but that the exercise proved futile.
He is however optimistic that something positive may come up in the 6th National Development Plan.
He said that would compel government to put in place a clear staff structure at health institutions including in
districts hospitals to specifically attend to eye related issues.
According to Mr. Musanje, an estimated 120,000 people in Zambia suffers from eye related complications.
And Mr. Musaanje has bemoaned the high number of people suffering from eye problems especially among the youth in peri-urban and rural areas.
He said there are more cases of younger people who are visually impaired in most of the health centres in the country.
The SSI Chief said there is need for the Ministry of Health to double its efforts to curb the increasing number of patients suffering from eye related illnesses.
He sad this was the reason why his organization, working with other stakeholders, has embarked on a sight restoration programme in communities around the
country.
ZANIS
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