Cameroonians have been told to observe good hygiene and sanitation in a bid to avoid eye infections which can lead to blindness - if not properly treated. The call was made by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Public Health, Alim Hayatou, on Thursday, October 13, while presiding at activities marking World Sight Day at the Women’s Empowerment Centre, Nkoldongo, Yaounde.
“Blindness can be prevented through proper personal hygiene, environmental sanitation,” said Mr Hayatou, attributing the primary cause of river blindness and trachoma in Cameroon to the Onchocerca parasite. To illustrate his point, Alim Hayatou proceeded to administer antibiotic eye drops on a new-born baby which was followed by the washing of a child’s face by the Permanent Secretary of the National Programme for Prevention of Blindness, Professor Assumpta.
The World Health Organisation used the occasion to explain the Vision 2020 Project aimed at eliminating avoidable blindness by 2020. Vision 2020 or “the right to sight” project aims at identifying and putting in place necessary resources to help in the prevention and treatment of blindness in the world. The occasion ended with a tour of the centre by Alim Hayatou and other dignitaries.
