Free eye testing camp set up to ensure quality education

ISLAMABAD: As the world marks the international day of education, Sightsavers joined hands with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and managed a free eye testing camp as a step to reinforce the strong connection between eye health and educational outcomes.

This was done under its School Health Integrated Programming project being managed in Islamabad which involves training teachers in eye screening of students, free screening of schoolchildren for vision problems by qualified optometrists and providing free spectacles and treatment where needed.

Sightsavers appreciated the government for their work on education and also called on the government to pay more attention to the educational needs of children living with disabilities in the country to ensure inclusion.

It promotes quality inclusive education so that every child regardless of their abilities, needs or barriers to learning has the chance to get an education and an opportunity to thrive.

Munazza Gillani, Country Director Sightsavers, said they not only call for inclusion of children with disabilities in learning process but also facilitates the process.

“We promote inclusive education and to ensure this we facilitate people and children with refractive error to have access to high quality services, checkup facilities, spectacles and the treatment they need.”

She said, “Today, by setting up the free eye camp we want to play our role in improving confidence, productivity and well being of the children as weak eye sight and issues of refractive errors is one of the biggest barriers in the learning process.”

Senior Programme Manager, Sightsavers, Itfaq Khan, said we are working towards preventing avoidable visual impairment and blindness of most vulnerable group of people especially children, by providing and enhancing high quality eye care. He also said that Inclusive education is not only a basic human right, but also a powerful tool for achieving sustainable development.