MINISTER of health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has said that about one million Nigerians are blind and some three million others visually impaired.
He stressed that studies show that women are the most vulnerable and advocated promotion of eye healthcare in order to attain the Millennium Development Goals targets.
Chukwu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Fatima Bamidele, disclosed this at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja on the World Sight Day with the theme, ‘Eye health and development: A good vision for all to attain the MDGs.’
According to him, over 50 per cent of children who become blind before the age of five may not live to celebrate their sixth birthday.
“Also, improving female gender access to eye care services will ensure access to opportunities for self reliance and contribution to national development,” he said.
Chukwu has also invited a Lagos-based herbal medicine practitioner, Dr. Harts Ugochukwu to verify his claims that he has cure for the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease, and to assist the government in curbing the menace.
In a letter of invitation from the Department of Public Health National AIDS/STDs Control Programme (NASCP) dated September 30, 2011 signed by the National Coordinator, HIV/AIDS Division, Dr. Emeka Asadu, he stated that the attention of the minister has been drawn to his recent interview with a national newspaper claiming that he has cured over 40,000 patients infected with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.