Mafi kumase: The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development has called for intensified efforts to promote early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of children with visual impairment to prevent avoidable blindness and improve their prospects in life. Mr. Lucky Atokple, the Central Tongu District Director of Social Welfare, emphasized the importance of early identification of eye conditions and timely medical attention to prevent the worsening of some forms of childhood visual impairment.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Atokple made the call during a community sensitization programme on visual impairment held at the Global Evangelical Church, Mafi Kumase, in the Central Tongu District. The programme, themed 'Caring for Children with Visual Impairment: Why Children Lose Their Vision and What We Can Do,' aimed to raise awareness among parents, caregivers, and community leaders about the causes, effects, prevention, and treatment of visual impairment in children.
The event was organized as part of the Holistic Development Programme for Visually Impaired Children (HODVIC), an initiative of the Department of Children under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, with support from Dutch Visio International. Mr. Atokple highlighted the significant impact visual impairment can have on a child's education, social development, independence, and future opportunities, especially when conditions are not identified and addressed early.
He noted that misinformation, late medical presentation, misconceptions, and certain traditional practices could contribute to delayed treatment and worsening eye conditions. He urged parents and caregivers to closely monitor children's visual development and seek professional medical attention if abnormalities are suspected.
Speaking on behalf of Reverend Israel Akrobortu, the Volta Regional Director of the Department of Children, Madam Nancy Anyri, an officer of the Department, reported that the HODVIC had been implemented for over seven years in selected districts and regions nationwide, with the Volta Region as one of the beneficiaries. She mentioned that the programme targets children aged zero to 15 years, focusing on early detection, screening, assessment, appropriate referral, and treatment, as well as care and management of children with visual impairment.
Madam Anyri added that the programme was officially introduced in the Central Tongu District last year, offering free eye screening, awareness creation, and the formation of parent support groups at the old District Assembly premises in Adidome and New Bakpa. The current intervention aims to deepen community awareness while screening children's eyes and identifying parents and caregivers needing further support and guidance.
She emphasized the importance of educators and parents in identifying potential vision problems through children's developmental milestones and behavior. At school, a child struggling to see the board despite sitting at the front, moving repeatedly toward it, or having poor handwriting could be experiencing visual difficulties rather than lacking intellectual ability. She urged teachers, health workers, social workers, parents, caregivers, and counselors to collaborate in identifying affected children and ensuring they receive the necessary assistance.
Madam Adzraku Faith, an Optometrist at the Adidome Government Hospital, explained that treatment depends on the condition's nature and severity, which may include prescription spectacles, medication, or surgery. She stressed that visual impairment should not be seen as the end of a child's future, as appropriate rehabilitation and support can help children with visual impairment develop their abilities and contribute to society.
Mr. Dennis Agyei Enkson, Chairman of the programme, appealed to parents and guardians not to hide children with visual impairment but to bring them forward to access available medical, social protection, and rehabilitation services. He emphasized that visual impairment requires collective responsibility, resources, and appropriate structures to ensure the full inclusion of affected children in society.
The programme gathered representatives from the Central Tongu District Assembly, Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, Department of Children, Visio International, Ghana Health Service, traditional and community leaders, teachers, parents, caregivers, and children with visual impairment.