The Department of Health and Social Development Vhembe District in partnership with Riakona Community-Based Care held an eye awareness campaign at Ravele Community Hall in the Sinthumule area a fortnight ago.

Villagers of around Sinthumule and Kutama respective areas, more especially elders, flocked in numbers to the Ravele community hall for their eyes to be examined by specialists from the Department of Health and Social Development and Riakona Community-Based Care, in line with the national eye awareness month celebrations.

The theme for this year´s campaign is Prevention of Childhood Blindness.

According to the chief community liaison officer of the Department of Health´s Public Health Clinic, Mrs Margaret Tshikota, the department had chosen the area because of a lot of people in the area are suffering from eye problems. Tshikota advised people to eat indigenous food such as vegetables, dried vegetables and other traditional food.

Mrs Shonisani Tshivhase, who was one of the presenters of the day, described "childhood blindness" as a number of diseases and conditions that occur in childhood and early adolescence. Tshivhase added that reducing childhood blindness depends on the availability of primary health care. "This includes a proper diet replete with vitamin A, Rubella immunization for women and infants, and a clean hygienic environment," Tshivhase indicated.

She outlined that the major causes of childhood blindness are vitamin A deficiency, measles and disease transmission through the birth canal. "The preventive measures include the distribution of vitamin A tablets, immunization and prenatal as well as perinatal care," Tshivhase highlighted. Tshivhase urged people that they should always go to check up if ever they experience cataract and other eye problems.

The board member of Riakona Community Based Care, Mr Paul Mugwena, is advising people always to consult with them when they experience eye problems. Mugwena added that their organization is very accessible, as they treat people for free. "Challenges that we are facing as the organization is that people do not understand the way we operate, but the fact is that we assist people for free," he said.