No fewer than 334 individuals, including 256 commercial drivers, received free medicated glasses during a visual health outreach organised by the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund, in partnership with TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, across motor parks in Rivers State.
The five-day intervention, which covered Mile 1, Mile 3, Rumuokoro, Choba, and Okehi motor parks in Port Harcourt, Obio Akpor, and Etche local government areas, also saw 847 individuals screened, 302 drivers given eye medications, and 87 persons referred for specialist care.
According to a statement signed by Marketing and Communications Manager of NSSF, Esther Anolu, on Wednesday, baseline findings from the exercise revealed that 67 per cent of screened drivers had never undergone an eye test, while 86 per cent were unaware of where to access professional eye care services.
The Managing Director of TotalEnergies Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Matthieu Bouyer, said the project was established to raise awareness about the need for routine visual examinations among commercial drivers across the country.
He said, “The Visual Health Awareness Project was established to raise awareness about the need for routine visual examination among commercial drivers in the country.”
The Managing Director of NSSF, Dr Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, said many drivers operate daily without access to routine eye checks, despite relying on their eyesight to earn a living and ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.
“Commercial drivers rely on their eyesight every day to earn a living and ensure the safety of passengers and other road users. Yet many operate without access to routine eye checks.
“Through this outreach, we are removing barriers to care, strengthening awareness of preventive eye health, and contributing to safer roads.
“Partnerships like this demonstrate how collaborative action can deliver practical, life-changing results within communities,” she said.
According to the statement, the outreach received strong support from transport unions and motor park leadership, with NSSF pledging to continue advocating for routine eye screenings and to strengthen referral networks beyond the period.
The PUNCH