The Osun State Government has commenced free medical interventions, including surgeries, for public school pupils diagnosed with serious eye conditions as part of its ongoing Imole School Eye Health Programme, a state-funded initiative aimed at improving the vision and academic performance of students across the state.
This was made known by the Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Dr. Rasaq Akindele, during the closing session of the first quarter providers’ forum and emergency care training for OSHIA-accredited health facilities held in Osogbo. Dr. Akindele stated that a total of 345,000 students from public primary and secondary schools were screened during the exercise, out of which over 42,000 were found to have various visual impairments and have already benefited from free treatments.
According to him, the majority of the affected students were diagnosed with refractive errors, for which they were issued corrective eyeglasses at no cost. Others received medications to manage their conditions, while those with more serious cases requiring surgery are currently undergoing operations in phases.
“We observed that many pupils were struggling academically because of undiagnosed vision problems. With the governor’s full support, we embarked on a comprehensive screening exercise across all public schools. From the 345,000 students screened, we found that about 45,000 had visual impairments. Of that number, over 42,000 were treated with either glasses or medication,” he explained.
He added, “Some cases required surgical intervention, and we have started carrying out those procedures in batches. Once the process is completed, we will share the full report with the public. Importantly, the governor has also pledged to extend this eye care initiative to students in private schools to ensure no child is left behind.”
Dr. Akindele further disclosed that teachers in public schools are also being considered for screening after some of them were identified to have eye problems during the students’ assessment. The screening and treatment drive is part of the Imole Health Initiative, which has gained praise for its commitment to accessible and affordable healthcare in the state.
Speaking on the purpose of the forum and training event, the OSHIA boss said it served as a feedback mechanism where healthcare providers under the state’s health insurance scheme could voice their concerns, as well as an avenue for government to assess compliance with operational guidelines and improve service delivery.
He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the forum would reflect positively on patients’ experiences at partner hospitals, noting that a similar forum held previously led to notable improvements in healthcare delivery across the state.
“As we engage and train our providers, we also measure how well they adhere to the terms of their partnership with the government. Our last forum produced very positive results—many of our enrollees reported a higher level of satisfaction. We’re hopeful that this session will lead to even better healthcare services for the people of Osun,” he added.
The eye health programme continues to highlight Osun State’s efforts to address preventable health challenges in its schools and further reinforces the administration’s commitment to inclusive healthcare, especially for children and educators.
