FG Targets 25,000 Free Cataract Surgeries, Expands Eye Care to Millions

Nigeria Targets 25,000 Free Cataract Surgeries, Expands Eye Care to Millions

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporters)-The Federal Government of Nigeris has set a target of providing 25,000 free cataract surgeries across Nigeria by the end of 2027 as part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and expand access to quality eye care.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this during the commemoration of the 2026 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes,” with the national sub-theme, “Protect Your Vision, See Clearly, Live Fully.”

Salako, who was represented by the Director of the E-Health Division, Dr. Doris Afam Aneke, said the Federal Government considered eye health a public health and development priority because of its impact on education, productivity, personal independence and quality of life.

He highlighted key interventions by the Federal Government and its partners, including the training of more than 3,000 healthcare workers across 16 states and the activation of over 1,400 primary healthcare centres to provide basic eye care services.

The minister also disclosed that more than 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles had been distributed across the 16 states under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (ESCIN), also known as Jajibola 2.0.

According to him, preparations are underway to extend the initiative to 10 additional states.

He added that more than 1.5 million school-age children had been screened for visual problems through the School Eye Health Programme, while four additional vision centres were being established in secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa states.

Salako said the interventions were designed to strengthen the continuum of eye care, improve referral pathways and ensure that Nigerians could access appropriate services closer to their communities.

“Eye health is not an isolated intervention; it is an integral part of a resilient health system and a critical component of our journey towards Universal Health Coverage.

“No child should be prevented from learning because of an undiagnosed vision problem, and no Nigerian should live with avoidable blindness simply because treatment is beyond reach,” he said.

The minister further explained that the planned 25,000 free cataract surgeries would be implemented under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative to restore sight, independence and productivity to thousands of Nigerians.

He described cataract as a major cause of avoidable blindness in the country and assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would continue to collaborate with state governments, development partners, professional associations and the private sector to expand equitable access to quality eye care.

Salako also highlighted Nigeria’s role in advancing global eye health, including its co-hosting of the first Global Summit for Eye Health, scheduled for November 2 in Antigua and Barbuda.

He said the summit would provide an opportunity to promote the integration of eye health into Universal Health Coverage and strengthen Nigeria’s contribution to global health diplomacy.

The minister urged Nigerians to take personal and collective responsibility for protecting their sight through regular eye examinations, early presentation for treatment and healthy practices that help preserve vision.

“When people can see clearly, they can learn better, work better, contribute more and live fuller lives. That is the vision to which the Federal Government remains firmly committed.

“Together, let us continue to love our eyes, protect our vision, see clearly and live fully,” he said.

Nigeria Records Progress in Eye Health Policy

In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom Sò., represented by Dr. Oteri Okolo, said eye health remained fundamental to human dignity, educational attainment, economic productivity and individual independence.

She stressed that protecting the sight of Nigerians was critical to national development.

According to her, Nigeria’s eye health sector has recorded significant progress over the past decade through improved policy coordination, multisectoral collaboration and strategic partnerships.

She cited the development and dissemination of the country’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy, which she said had been ratified by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She also highlighted the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028 and the establishment of national and state-level eye health coordination structures as important steps towards improving service delivery.

The Permanent Secretary commended professional bodies, development partners and implementing organisations for their continued contributions to strengthening eye care services across the country.

Partners Seek Inclusive, Affordable Eye Care

Meanwhile, development partners have called for increased investment in the prevention, early detection and treatment of eye conditions, as well as rehabilitation and accessible eye health services for vulnerable and underserved populations.

The partners, including the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Sightsavers Nigeria, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), CBM International, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Peek Vision and Helen Keller International, reaffirmed their commitment to expanding access to affordable and inclusive eye care.

The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, emphasised the need to place persons with disabilities at the centre of eye health policies and interventions.

He noted that inaccessible healthcare facilities, communication barriers and inadequate consideration of the specific needs of persons with disabilities continued to limit their access to essential health services.

Similarly, Sightsavers Nigeria, CBM International and Helen Keller International urged stakeholders to ensure that eye care services were equitable and accessible to everyone, particularly children, women, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.

The Clinton Health Access Initiative stressed the importance of integrating eye care into the primary healthcare system.

It highlighted its collaboration with the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme to bring basic eye care services closer to communities and expand access to reading glasses.

Peek Vision underscored the role of technology, screening and reliable data in connecting people to appropriate eye care services, while the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation called for sustainable partnerships, innovation and a lifelong approach to vision care.

The partners commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme for their leadership in advancing eye health in Nigeria.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration to improve access to affordable, inclusive and quality eye care nationwide.