SUBEB Reaffirms Commitment to Pupils’ Health as Albasar Foundation Expands Eye-Care Programme in Kano Schools
SUBEB Reaffirms Commitment to Pupils’ Health as Albasar Foundation Expands Eye-Care Programme in Kano Schools
By JB Danlami
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Malam Yusuf Kabir, has reaffirmed the Board’s readiness to embrace any initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of pupils, particularly programmes that enhance healthcare delivery in schools.
Malam Yusuf Kabir made this known while receiving a delegation from Albasar International Foundation during a courtesy visit to the Board’s headquarters. Represented by the Commissioner I, Hon. Wada Ibrahim Daho, the SUBEB Chairman stated that the Kano State Government places high priority on education and healthcare, stressing the need for effective collaboration between government institutions and development partners to strengthen these critical sectors.
Speaking on the eye-care support being provided by the foundation in some schools across the state, Malam Yusuf Kabir urged the organisation to work closely with the State Ministry of Health to ensure full compliance with established guidelines and procedures. He also encouraged the foundation to expand its interventions to the SUBEB headquarters and rural areas to enable more pupils and education personnel to benefit from the programme.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Azmat Shah, said the visit was to formally present a report on the eye-care services carried out in some public schools under the supervision of the Board.
Dr. Shah disclosed that the programme in Kano State was implemented in two education local government areas—Kano Municipal Local Government Education Authority (Kano Municipal LGEA) and Gwale Local Government Education Authority (Gwale LGEA). He explained that activities were carried out in 83 schools across the two areas, benefiting a total of 72,979 pupils and 2,534 teachers.
He added that the most common eye condition identified among pupils was refractive error, a condition that affects clear vision in children. According to him, the foundation has trained teachers on how to identify pupils with refractive errors and other eye-related challenges, thereby improving early detection and referral.
Providing further details, Dr. Shah revealed that 2,380 pupils were treated with medication, while 2,722 pupils were examined, prescribed, and provided with corrective eyeglasses. He also disclosed that 2,534 teachers underwent eye screening, out of which 966 teachers were provided with eyeglasses.
