Project Launch: 11-3-21

Diabetes and Eye-health project is taking place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. Yenagoa is home to the major market and health care facilities in Bayelsa state.  On the national level, Yenagoa is marginalized and poorly developed of all the states in Niger Delta region of Nigeria. There is limited locally grown agricultural produce and trade due to oil spillage and social beliefs, leading to 80% of indigenous people serving as civil servants within the state ministry. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of visual impairment in the working age group. This is one of the microvascular complications of long-standing diabetes. Most people with diabetes in Yenagoa are not aware of the sight threatening potentials of diabetes, hence their ignorance to follow the comprehensive care plan recommended for this group. This project aims to implement a diabetic retinopathy awareness campaign by conducting diabetic retinal screening program for the diabetic group resident in Yenagoa Bayelsa state. The major activities for this project involve the use of communication materials to sensitize the community and residents at large, about ocular complications of diabetes. In addition, this project will collaborate with the major tertiary healthcare center to reach out to the community on World diabetic day. They will use fundus photography to obtain pictures of the ocular fundus, interpreting findings and offering counselling to the community. They will also provide information on the centers where ocular complications of diabetics can be managed to prevent severe visual loss.