By Babatunde Ayedoju
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The Ondo State Government has advised drivers in the state to prioritise their visual health because the eye is prominent among all sense organs needed for driving.
The appeal was made by the Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Transport, Mr Tobi Ogunleye, at the free medical screening organised by the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in conjunction with Lions Club International on Tuesday.
The screening which took place at the VIO’s office covered blood pressure, blood sugar level and eye tests.
In his address, Ogunleye appreciated the organisers of the free medical tests, saying that whatever is done to ensure the wellbeing of drivers is for the safety of the society.
While admonishing organisers to extend the kind gesture to commercial motorcyclists because they constitute a large chunk of commercial transporters, he assured that the government would be willing to support where necessary.
Ogunleye said, “I advise the drivers to take advantage of the opportunity that this free test affords them because it’s a rare opportunity to know their state of health. All the sense organs are required for driving but sight is prominent because it is dangerous for a visually impaired person to be driving.”
The Ondo State Director, Vehicle Inspection Services, Alaba Adeleye noted that poor vision was one of the major causes of road accident, alongside mechanical fault and bad roads, adding that the importance of vision could not be over emphasised
He equally noted that the free medical screening which happened to be the second of its kind covered 100 drivers, an improvement on the first edition where 50 drivers were screened two years ago.
Also speaking at the event, the Governor, Lions Club District 404A-4, Dr (Mrs) Kofoworola Jegede, lamented that most drivers do not know that they have poor vision, adding that poor vision is one of the major causes of accident.
Also speaking with The Hope, Jegede assured that those who needed further treatment would be referred to the appropriate health facility. She said, “The medical team here today are among the personnel they will meet when they go for further treatment. Therefore, they can be sure that they would be attended to speedily and effectively.”
While delivering the health talk, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Abiodun, a nurse, admonished the drivers to avoid excess salt, alcohol and sedentary lifestyle, in order to maintain a healthy blood pressure.
While warning that hypertension does not show any early warning sign, she admonished hypertensive patients to avoid over-the-counter drugs.
