A large delegation of Lions Club International headed by the Second Vice President of Lions Clubs International, Mr. Naresh Aggarwal, paid a courtesy call on President James Michel this morning, together with the Lions Clubs of Seychelles.

The President praised the work of the Lions Clubs in Seychelles particularly in the blindness prevention programme as well as the school sight-screening programme.

"The Lions Club has not been a dormant lion, but a very active lion! You have contributed greatly to the health and social sectors in Seychelles with the cataract removal programme as well as the programme for screening children for eyesight deficiencies. Your efforts are bearing fruits. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing engagement with the community,” said President Michel during the meeting.

Mr. Aggarwal spoke to the President about the successes of Lions Clubs International in giving 20 million children all over the world the change to have sight screening, and identify sight problems at an early age. He said that Seychelles is an example to the world concerning healthcare development.

The President and the Lions Clubs International Second Vice-President discussed the challenges in the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts and the need for capacity building to train counsellors and other health workers to deal with the social problem. The Lions Clubs International agreed to assist Seychelles in this area of expertise and capacity building as part of its Lions’ Quest Programme.

“I can only say that the last thirty-nine years under the leadership of the country, especially under the leadership of the President, has been very outstanding. They have been working with a lot of compassion, a lot of commitment, and the statistics speak, of the UN and the WHO, that Seychelles is rated as one of the number one ranking countries in Africa, basically because of the health care and education which is being taken care of,” said Mr. Naresh Aggarwal in a press interview.

Mr. Arggarwal presented the President with the award of Global Leader in Humanitarian Service, on behalf of Lions Club International.

Also present in the meeting were the Chief Press Secretary, Ms. Srdjana Janosevic, Dr. Manoj Shah- LCIF Board of Trustees Appointee, Mr. Davindar Singh Eari, District Governor, Mr. Rajinder Singh Sembi- GLT Constitutional Area Leader Africa, Mr. Shezan Luhar- District GMT , Coordinator,  Mrs. Amarpreet  Sembi- GMT Area Leader Africa LCI Coordinating Lion, as well as a several Lions Clubs of Seychelles members.