FREE EYE EXAM FOR 236 CHILDREN ON BOARD OF THE ITALIAN AIRCRAFT CARRIER ETNA
Loving Gaze thanks His Excellency the Ambassador of Italy in Nigeria – Flavio Rustico – and the Fondazione Francesca Rava – N.P.H. Italia Onlus – for the free eye exam provided to 236 unprivileged children from Lagos.
A team of Italian ophthalmologists and optometrists have examined 236 hundred students from St John and SS. Peter & Paul Creche, Nursery and Primary Schools on board of Etna, the Italian aircraft carrier, visiting Lagos port from February 28th till March 3rd.
Dr Alda Gemmani, Medical Director says: “We praise Transforming children’s lives through sight initiative. Most of our kids never had the chance to be examined by an ophthalmologist. We noticed that 15% of our students have some kind of eye conditions and we were able to assist most of them immediately. Thirty-six eye glasses have been distributed free of charge. They will improve the daily life of these children, having better relationship with others and the surrounding environment, allowing easier learning process and therefore improving their school results. We have also observed a worrying number of childhood glaucoma, which is a serious condition, uncommon among young patients. Two children would need a surgery to resolve their issue, we are now looking at the best option in Lagos to follow up these cases.”
Our children also thank the Italian Navy officials, the Fondazione Rava doctors and ophthalmologists, the Red Cross Nurses for their care, their smiles, their tenderness. The three days on the Etna aircraft carrier have also been days of discovery, fun, dances and new friendship.
Loving Gaze 