By Wellington Sibale

Neno, June 3, Mana: Good Vision Malawi, a sister organization to One Dollar Glasses has targeted to distribute 12,000 glasses to needy people with visual challenges in the country.

Good Vision National Distribution Manager, Movan Chirwa disclosed this Sunday in an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on the sidelines of a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting in Neno.

He said as one way of addressing visual challenges in the country, they have launched a campaign on good vision and they target to reach out to students or learners and teachers who have visual challenges.

Chirwa said Neno has been targeted because it has been affected by climate change; hence, high numbers of eye-related issues as well.

"We plan to reach out to over 12,000 needy people with glasses in the country and Neno is inclusive,” he revealed.

Chirwa said early interventions to vision problems could save the sight of students, teachers and community members.

"We have a schools' programme in central and northern region and plans are underway to bring it to the southern region. Glasses are solutions for all despite the beliefs and early interventions could save the sight of people," the Manager said.

He added that the organization is ready to collaborate with stakeholders to achieve their intended goals and community members will be paying a small fee of K4, 000 each for a pair of spectacles.

Clinical Officer for Eye Care services at Neno District Hospital, Tizyo Kumwenda said Good Vision glasses would allow vulnerable people to access them at affordable prices compared to those found in optical shops.

"Good Vision will be in the district providing eye care services especially in hard to reach areas to the vulnerable people who cannot afford the glasses on their own because of financial issues,” he said.

Kumwenda noted that the coming of Good Vision to the district, several activities would be carried out including awareness and sensitization campaigns to all health centres within the district where people will be enlightened with knowledge about eye care and how to get the glasses.

Good Vision Malawi, soon to be Good Vision International operating in eight countries in Africa and South America with the aim of providing basic eye care services for all people at affordable prices.