Nkwanta (V/R), April 5, GNA - The Nkwanta district hospital in the Volta region recorded 2,091 eye-related diseases, including several cases of cataract in 2005.

Miss Rejoice Ahetor, a Public Health Nurse at the hospital, announced this at the launch of an eye-care and screening exercise in Nkwanta by specialists from the United Kingdom. The two-week screening exercise, being carried out in collaboration with Sight Savers, the Nkwanta District Health Management Team (DHMT) and World Vision, involved the provision of optical correction lenses and cataract surgery.

World Vision would bear 60 percent of the cost while the District Assembly pay 40 percent.

Miss Ahetor said frequent eye screening was necessary, especially at the attainment of 35 years, adding that studies had shown that vision reduces from that age.

Such frequent eye screening could assist in early detection and prevention of eye related problems. Mr Joseph Denteh, Nkwanta District Chief Executive, said collaboration among the DHMT, the District Assembly and the World Vision had led to the drastic reduction in the incidence of guinea worm in the district.

He expressed optimism that eye problems in the district could reduce.

Mr Denteh urged the people in the district to be committed to the National Health Insurance Scheme because it had been proven worldwide as the most humane and affordable means of financing health care.