HH Vision 100, 000 to serve millions Zambians with sight problems – Mulobela

By BARNABAS ZULU

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema’s launch of 100, 000 free pairs of spectacles to vulnerable learners, families, elderly people, security personnel and persons with albinism will serve millions of Zambians in need of better sight, Whitney Mulobela has said.

Mr Mulobela, the State House Chief Communications Strategist, says the HH VISION 100, 000 initiative was aimed at addressing eyesight challenges affecting millions of Zambians, particularly children whose education was being affected by poor vision.

He said more than six million Zambians needed spectacles, with one in five children unable to see the blackboard clearly and nearly one in three adults living with poor vision.

“Having made education free, President Hichilema is now helping children get the full benefit of it. No child should sit in a classroom unable to read what the teacher writes because their parents cannot afford spectacles,” Mr Mulobela said.

He said the programme had been piloted at New Jack Secondary School in Chawama, Kabanana Secondary School in Mandevu, Chitanda Secondary School in Matero and military bases in Mikango, Mt Eugenia and Shimabala.

Mr Mulobela said improved eyesight had helped learners follow lessons in class and enabled men and women in uniform to perform their duties effectively.

He said the initiative was also intended to support people whose livelihoods depended on good eyesight, including tailors, carpenters and other workers.

“This is Grow Zambia in practice: helping people learn, work and earn a living,” he said.

Mr Mulobela said poor eyesight could affect people’s ability to earn a living and perform everyday activities, particularly among elderly citizens.

He encouraged people experiencing eyesight difficulties to visit their nearest health facilities for information about the programme.

“The spectacles provided under HH VISION 100, 000 are free. You do not need to know anyone, and you do not need to pay anyone,” he said.

Mr Mulobela said no child should lose a school year and no worker should lose a day’s wages because they could not afford spectacles.

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