Lions Club International, LCI, District 404B3 Nigeria, has set a target to provide eye care services to no fewer than 20,000 vulnerable persons with a N100m budget.
The District Governor, LCI 404B3, Otunba Olayiwola Fadairo disclosed the cheery news at a media briefing to inaugurate the district and mark the beginning of the Lion service year.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Lions year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year and the theme for the 2023/2024 service year is: “Rebirth of Service.”
Fadairo said that the core project of the district would be centred on visual health, with a N100 million budget to execute the project.
He said that the money would be sourced through fundraising, donations from members, government and others.
He said that the eye services to be rendered include surgery, medications, counseling and provision of eyeglasses.
Fadairo added that the beneficiaries would be selected from the four axis that the district covers namely; Lagos, Otta, Abeokuta and Ibadan.
“Our core project for this service year will revolve around vision. We understand the profound impact that clear vision can have on an individual’s quality of life.
“It is our duty and responsibility to ensure that no one is deprived of the gift of sight.
“Presently, we have 5,000 eyeglasses on ground to be given out and we will carry out eye screening bi-monthly in these four axis to know the eye care needs of the people.
“Those who would need glasses would be given, while those in need of medication or cataract surgery will be also be provided for.
“We also have other areas of focus for the year which include diabetes, childhood cancer, feeding the hungry and environment. We will still touch on all these areas but the primary focus is vision.
He said that they had partnered with eye care professionals, organizations, and communities to provide comprehensive eye care project, spread awareness about visual health, and support individuals with visual impairments