MUB appeals for increased support on blindness
Malawi Union of the Blind (MUB) has asked government and the civil society to step up efforts to contain increased cases of people contracting visual impairments and blindness.
MUB youth coordinator, Stuart Chauluka, said lack of proper eye care practices and personal hygiene is the major contributors to blindness.
Chauluka said the situation is negatively impacting the effectiveness of those infected and affected such that apart from the visible and measurable problem under discussion, illiteracy and economic challenges have emerged.
“This figure could double or triple within a short period if people do not observe best practices of eye care, which include regular washing of the face with soap to prevent infections,” he explained.
He said a study MUB recently conducted revealed that parents of children with eye problems do not take their wards to hospitals for treatment due to poverty.
“Poor parents would rather concentrate on basic human needs such as food than taking their children for medical check up,” said Chauluka.
He said MUB has since received financial support from David’s Snell, a Norwegian organisation, to enable it to provide primary eye care and screening to primary school children with eye problems.
Snell is a philanthropist who cycles to raise funds for medical equipment and human development in Malawi and other African countries.
Chauluka said the project will help children with eye problems and the public to access appropriate information and intervention on primary eye care to prevent new infections. n
