Some students at the University of Ghana have praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Orbis International’s Flying Eye Hospital aimed at reducing preventable blindness in the country.
This follows the recent announcement of a partnership between the Ministry and the world’s only eye hospital aboard an MD-10 aircraft. The initiative seeks not only to improve eye health nationwide but also to train local professionals and deliver essential equipment and supplies to support Ghana’s fight against blindness and other eye diseases.
Speaking to Univers News, one student described the initiative as timely and impactful, emphasizing its potential to transform lives and strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
“The initiative is a very good plan, and it will help a lot of people in Ghana because, as of now, there is a rising number of people with eyesight problems. The initiative will help make work more efficient and boost the economy,” the student noted.
Others commended the collaboration for fostering knowledge exchange and encouraging local innovation.
“National health organizations have facilities that I think maybe here in Ghana we don’t have. So as we collaborate with them, there will be unity, and people will be healed from their illnesses. That will also encourage us Ghanaians to build our own facilities since they are ahead of us in terms of infrastructure,” another student remarked.
Students also highlighted the importance of such partnerships in creating broader opportunities.
“Collaborating with other institutions would actually be very helpful because trying to do something like this on your own wouldn’t be easy. Working with international organizations or even national ones would make a big difference. And as we all know, many students on campus wear glasses and struggle to see from the board or projector. So I think this initiative would be of great benefit to us as students in the learning environment,” a third student added.
For many, the initiative represents more than just improved eye care—it’s seen as a step toward national development.
“It’s something we should look forward to as a nation because most Ghanaians have eye problems, and if implemented well, it could also help address unemployment issues,” another student shared.
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Story by Bryan Denzel Aryeetey | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
