By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

Lions Club International District 404B2 Nigeria extended its humanitarian services to Igbajo, Osun State, through a special eye outreach aimed at improving access to quality vision care for residents.

The programme held today at the Esile Recreation Hall, featured free eye screening, blood pressure checks, sugar level tests, drug administration, and distribution of corrective glasses.

The outreach facilitator, Lion Sunday Akere, who is the 1st Vice District Governor of the club, said the motivation was rooted in the rising number of people struggling with eye problems and the need to support the less privileged, saying, “we know many people are facing challenges with their eyes, and as an association, our focus is on assisting the needy”.

He explained that the programme was organized in partnership with the Lions International Eye Treatment and Surgery Centre at Asubiaro General Hospital, Osogbo.

According to him, the team of medical personnel present ensured that beneficiaries received the right diagnosis and immediate attention. “You can see our medical personnel on ground, attending to people across eight different stages of screening and treatment,” he said.

Akere also revealed plans to take the outreach to more communities across Osun once adequate support is secured. He encouraged residents to make use of the Lions Eye Centre in Osogbo for weekly follow-up assessments. “People can visit the centre every Wednesday for check-ups, especially after receiving recommendations during outreaches like this,” he advised.

The Club’s outreach coordinator, Lion Olufunmike Odesanmi, explained that only corrective glasses were issued after proper prescriptions, not random reading glasses, adding that frames selected in Igbajo would be taken to Osogbo for professional lens fitting.

“We prescribe according to each person’s condition to ensure the lenses truly improve their sight,” she said.

Odesanmi urged participants to take advantage of the opportunity and comply strictly with medical instructions to prevent worsening conditions. She stressed the importance of early intervention for various eye illnesses.

“They should not take this outreach for granted; proper management is what prevents avoidable blindness,” she cautioned.

She also reminded beneficiaries to use their drugs and corrective lenses consistently to achieve the best results. According to her, spectacles should not be worn only during outings but as part of daily routine. “If they use the lenses correctly and regularly, their eyesight will improve significantly,” she added.

Also speaking, the President, Igbajo Achievers Lions Club President, Yinka Diamond, noted that the outreach required continuous support, especially for patients who need surgery, adding that philanthropists have already begun contributing to the initiative.

“We have someone who has promised to sponsor 20 cataract surgeries every year, and we welcome more individuals or groups willing to support us,” he disclosed.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Faniran Adenike, expressed satisfaction with the services provided, noting that the outreach catered to people of all ages. She praised the organizers for bringing the initiative to Igbajo. “The services were okay and beneficial to everyone—young, old and even students,” she said.