KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Aklan through the Provincial Health Office here led the celebration of Sight Saving Month on Aug. 28, 2024, with the launching of the Eye Health Systems Strengthening and Integration (EHSSI) Project at City Mall Kalibo.
Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Leslie Ann Sedillo said that the province observes Sight Saving Month to emphasize the importance of protecting and taking good care of our eyes, as well as to encourage the public to be aware of the available means of restoring lost eyesight.
In line with this celebration is the Eye Health Project launching in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation which aims to provide quality eye health services to Aklanons, especially the vulnerable population.
“We will be implementing this project sa tanan nga mga municipalities iya sa Probinsya it Aklan. We are chosen out of all the provinces sa bilog nga Pilipinas, an-om eang gid ro gin pili nanda ag kaibahan kara ro probinsya it Aklan,” Sedillo reported.
(We will be implementing this project in all municipalities in the province of Aklan. We were chosen out of all the provinces in the Philippines; only six were chosen, that includes the province of Aklan.)
“We wanted to highlight the importance of eyesight. In fact, there are approximately two billion eon ro may visual impairment ag kalahati kara pwede ta kunta ma solusyonan kung na agapan agad. So ruyon aton kara nga gina solve, ag gina taw-an it solusyon,” said Sedillo.
(We wanted to highlight the importance of eyesight. In fact, there are approximately two billion now have visual impairment, and half of those could have been cured or given a solution if were just detected earlier. So, this is what we will be working on and will be given a solution.)
In her talk, Sedillo assured that the said project will highlight and benefit the Indigenous People community and the Persons with Disabilities sectors who are often times taken for granted.
She added that the PHO allocated resources for the said vulnerable sectors to ensure that they will be given priority for their services.
Robby Bastareche, DMO IV of the Department of Health, was also present together with Dr. Ken Dela Cruz, the Provincial Eye Center ophthalmologist, who presented a comprehensive lecture on common eye diseases and highlighted the importance of eye health and regular eye check-ups.
Meanwhile, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Bayani Cordova, Chairman of the Committee on Health, expressed his message of support, emphasizing the provincial government’s commitment to eye health and gratitude to The Fred Hollow Foundation of Australia.
During the event, free vision screening was conducted and eyeglasses were given to the first 30 clients, including individuals from the vulnerable populations (IPs and PWDs) by PHO’s partner optometrists Dr. Pinky Jhoanna B. Yap, Dr. Era Sibulangcal and Dr. Juliet Policarpio. (AGP/SQP/PIA Aklan with reports from Chantal Jade V. Tolores – GIP DOLE)
