Strategy and Outcome of Large-Scale School and Community-Based Vision Care for Children

D. S. Ademola-Popoola; O. A. Mokuolu; T. M. Akande; T. S. Obajolowo; E. S. Saka; C. N. Ezisi; V. W. Okeigbemen; S. A. Badmus; D. Y. Ribadu; R. C. Muhammad; I. E. Oludemi; A. B. Yakubu; A. B. Yakubu; T. J. Ademola-Popoola; O. J. Ademola-Popoola

Authors

D. S. Ademola-Popoola Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
O. A. Mokuolu Department of Paediatrics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
T. M. Akande Department of Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
T. S. Obajolowo Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
E. S. Saka Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Birnin-Kebbi, Nigeria
C. N. Ezisi Alex Ekwueme Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki, Nigeria
V. W. Okeigbemen University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin, Nigeria
S. A. Badmus
D. Y. Ribadu Federal Medical Centre, Yola, Nigeria
R. C. Muhammad Federal Medical Centre, Yola, Nigeria
I. E. Oludemi Child Survival Foundation International
A. B. Yakubu Child Survival Foundation International
A. B. Yakubu Child Survival Foundation International
T. J. Ademola-Popoola Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Nigeria
O. J. Ademola-Popoola University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Most countries in the developing world have significant disparities in accessibility to paediatric eye care. The large number of children in need of eye care compared to available specialist eye care teams has informed the need to deploy different strategies to reach a large number of children for comprehensive, expert level vision care to ensure continuum of care from detection, referral, through treatment and rehabilitation. The aim of this report is to provide a template of adaptable and scalable strategies for childhood blindness/visual impairment detection through management which was executed in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. It specifically describes the outcome of large-scale school and community based comprehensive vision care program for children including those with special needs (blind, deaf or mentally challenged).

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