Awutu Bawjiase (C/R), May 28, GNA - The Bawjiase Programme Area Office of Plan Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has stepped up its School Health Education Programme (SHEP), with a month-long intensive eye screening exercise in 40 basic and Senior Secondary Schools within its area of operation.

In all, about 3,220 children in 40 Plan-assisted basic and Senior Secondary Schools in Ga District in the Greater Accra Region, Agona, Awutu-Effutu-Senya and Gomoa Districts in the Central Region were covered during the exercise.

A team of nurses from the Central Regional Hospital at Cape Coast assisted Plan Ghana in the implementation of the programme.

Mr Benjamin Akuamoah-Boateng, Bawjiase Programme Area SHEP Co-ordinator of Plan Ghana gave statistics of the beneficiary schools as follows; Ga District three schools, Gomoa District four schools, Agona District two schools and the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District 31 schools. Mr Akuamoah-Boateng who disclosed these to the Ghana News Agency in an interview at Awutu-Bawjiase on Thursday said 77 pupils with foreign bodies on their eyes had them removed by the medical team, while five others with cataract on their eyes were referred for further medical attention.

He commended the excellent manner the nurses carried out their work during the exercise. He also praised both the teachers and the school children who benefited from the programme for their high sense of comportment.

Commenting on the outcome of the programme Mrs Emelia Allen, Bawjiase Programme Area Manager of Plan Ghana, also expressed her appreciation to the Central Regional directorate of the Ghana Health Services for the co-operation, support and encouragement extended to them over the years, and hoped that it would maintain the cordial relations between the two organisations for the good of the Region and the nation.

Mrs Allen stressed the importance of regular eye screening and advised parents and guardians to ensure regular screening of the eyes of their children to protect them against various eye problems.