A free eye screening program for the Kunka Community in the Obuasi Municipality has been organized by the Lisabeth Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The church sought to educate the community about diseases that cause vision loss and to offer free care to anyone in the area who had eye-related illnesses.

Mr. V.K Asante, the Secretary of the Church, said the exercise involved the screening of over 80 squatters. He said the Church, apart from preaching the gospel, often organized such programs to support the needy, through which he believes could win more souls for Christ.

“This is our lifestyle in this church. Our aim is to bring support to the needy in our society, take adequate care of the less privileged, bring hope to the hopeless and medical service to members of the society,” he said.

The partnership, according to Dr. Fauster Boampong, an ophthalmologist at the MOG Eye Care Center, is essential given the high prevalence of blindness brought on by a lack of medical check-ups and misinformation.

“The rate of eye disease is high in Ghana with three in 10 people having issues with their eyes,” adding that many cases of blindness could be prevented if detected and treated early.

He called for an increased advocacy and awareness on regular eye check-ups to avert impending blindness.

The people who attended the screening were thankful to the church for providing them free eye check-up and awareness.