As part of its effort to curb childhood blindness, Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatai Ahmed, has presented State Childhood Sight Protection Bill to the State Assembly for consideration and passage into law.

The proposed legal framework, according to the governor, seeks to provide for free and compulsory childhood sight screening for the purpose of early identification and treatment of any impairment which may lead to perpetual blindness in children.

The governor said the bill, if passed, "Would be able to enhance life expectancy, reduce the number of beggars on our streets, prune down the number of children in need of special education, and improve on security and socio-economic situation of individuals and the state."

Ahmed, in a letter dated November 20, 2012, sent to the legislature, a copy which was obtained by Blueprint, said, "the bill makes it mandatory from the commencement of the law for children in the state to be given free sight screening at birth or within 6 weeks to 3 months after birth and before the age of 5 years.

It added that the purpose of the compulsory screening is for early detection, early optical, medical or surgical management of congenital of childhood cataract or other death due to retinoblastoma.

The Speaker, Barrister Rasak Atunwa, who read the letter to members during the plenary session on Wednesday, had directed the House Committee on Rules and Business to take charge for the proper scheduling of the bill's first reading.