As the World commemorate the 2021 World Sight Day (WSD) held every Second Thursday of October which is a day set aside to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment, the Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency Plateau State, Hon. Simon Mwadkwon Ph.D has charged government at all levels to commit more financial resources for National blindness prevention programmes to address issues related to vision impairment as well as give a sense of belonging to the blind and the visually challenged.

He also called on the Citizens to stop the stigmatization and discrimination against the visually impaired as they are not the architects of their predicament.

He disclosed that with the significance of the International Day aimed at raising public awareness of blindness & vision impairment, influence Governments/Ministers of Health to participate in and designate funds for national blindness prevention programmes and educate target audiences about blindness prevention, it is imperative that resources are made available to meet such targets.

“The visually challenged are special persons who must be attended to, empowered and their capacities built to achieve their full potentials at appreciable levels which in turn will translate to socio-economic wellbeing of the Nation”

“According to available records, Globally, at least 1 billion people have near or distance vision impairment that could be prevented or has yet to be addressed”

“Greater attention must therefore be accorded to them in order to tap from their God-given talents, gifts and potentials”

“Deliberate efforts must be made to assist the visually challenged through programmes, activities and making visual corrective equipment available for their use” he said.

He said as a Lawmaker, he has prioritized human capital development through strategic empowerment programmes which will cover this category of persons who are visually challenged and will make laws that will have direct impact on them.

He admonished the visually challenged to remain positive and contribute to National development.

He said the theme for the 2021 WSD “Love Your Eyes” is apt, calling on the citizens to give attention to their personal hygiene especially care for their eyes, visit the Ophthalmologists regularly for eye checkup, take regular breaks if working at a computer screen and shun any act of discrimination against those who are visually challenged.

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World Sight Day: “Stop Stigmatization and Discrimination Against the Visually Challenged” – Dr. Simon Mwadkwon