Tackling the Burden of Blindness in Ogun State, Nigeria: The Success of Private / Public Partnerships
Tayo J. Bogunjoko *
Eye Foundation Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, Ilese/Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Adekunle O. Hassan
Eye Foundation Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, Ilese/Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Karinya Lewis
Eye Foundation Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, Ilese/Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Toyin Akanbi
Eye Foundation Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, Ilese/Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Abimbola Ashaye
Eye Foundation Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, Ilese/Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Ayo Akinye
Eye Foundation Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, Ilese/Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun state, Nigeria.
Halima Bogunjoko
Eye Foundation Centre for the Prevention of Blindness, Ilese/Ijebu-Imushin, Ogun state, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Primary Health Centres in Nigeria and particularly Ogun state have suffered serious neglect over the years. A private / public partnership together with private health /education partnership have strengthened government health systems, developing a sustainable model for delivery of eye services to the most indigent. Over the last four years, in Ogun state, screening for cataract alone has increased in fourfold and the number of cataracts surgeries performed, threefold. However, ongoing subsidising of surgeries may be needed until local health insurance schemes or other ways of financing eye care become reliable. Tackling health beliefs about eye care remain one of the main barriers to uptake of services.
Keywords: Primary health centres, community ophthalmic nurses, Ogun State, ophthalmologist, community ophthalmic technician, friends of vision