Abuja: The Federal Government has announced plans to conduct 25,000 free cataract surgeries across Nigeria by the end of 2027. This initiative aims to combat avoidable blindness and improve access to quality eye care services. Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, disclosed this at the 49th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association and African Council of Optometry (AFCO) meeting, held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, themed ‘Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity,’ gathered eye care professionals and stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing optometry practice and eye healthcare delivery. Dr. Salako stated that the surgeries would be part of the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative, which aims to bring healthcare services closer to underserved communities and vulnerable populations nationwide. The program has secured funding in the 2025 and 2026 federal budgets to ensure timely delivery.
Dr. Salako highlighted the longstanding neglect of eye health, despite preventable visual impairment affecting millions of Nigerians’ productivity and quality of life. He emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to expanding primary eye care services and addressing preventable blindness through investments, reforms, and strengthened healthcare systems. The National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan 2024-2028 aims to integrate eye care services across all healthcare levels for improved early detection.
The Federal Government has also launched the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit to standardize glaucoma management across the country. Training has been provided to ophthalmologists from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to enhance patient outcomes. Under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria-JigiBola 2.0, over 2,220 primary healthcare workers in 16 states have been trained to conduct vision screenings, benefiting almost two million Nigerians with free reading glasses.
Dr. Salako emphasized the critical role of optometrists as the frontline of community eye health in achieving universal eye health coverage. Dr. Chimeziri Anderson, President of the Nigerian Optometric Association, highlighted the conference’s goal to standardize optometry education and practice across Africa, promoting collaboration and research dissemination. Dr. Remi Ninkpe, President of AFCO, called for a harmonized framework for optometry education and practice across the continent to enhance professional integration and advancement.
Dr. Ninkpe urged investment in faculty development, clinical infrastructure, and research to position Africa as a leader in adopting artificial intelligence technologies in optometry. Dr. Njezi Kennedy, Chairman of the NOA Federal Capital Territory Chapter, described the conference as a landmark event for advancing eye care in Africa, encouraging participants to deepen collaboration and renew their commitment to eliminating avoidable blindness.