Gwagwalada: Rolan Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, has provided free eye care services and distributed eyeglasses to vulnerable residents in the FCT. The outreach, which held on Tuesday in Gwagwalada, included eye screening, distribution of eyeglasses and eye drops, as well as basic medical checks for beneficiaries aged 38 years and above.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the intervention was carried out under the Abuja Vision Support Programme 2026 in collaboration with the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) and the National Optometry Association, FCT chapter. Mr Olorunnisola Sanni, State Coordinator of the foundation, stated that the initiative targeted poor and vulnerable persons at the grassroots who lack access to quality eye care services. Beneficiaries were screened for blood pressure and blood sugar levels and were referred for further medical attention where necessary, in addition to undergoing comprehensive eye examinations.
Sanni emphasized that the programme was provided free of charge, with no registration or service fees, and noted that the eyeglasses distributed were supported by CMMB. He also mentioned that the Gwagwalada outreach marks the first phase of the intervention, with the second phase scheduled to take place on Saturday at the Chief of Garki’s Palace in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
Mrs Adefunke Adeniran, Programme Officer of the foundation, highlighted that the intervention covered eye tests, eye pressure checks, distribution of eye drops and eyeglasses, as well as blood sugar screening. She announced that almost 300 persons had benefited from the initiative since its commencement and stressed the importance of eye care, especially for ageing populations. Adeniran also called for increased partnerships to enable the foundation to expand its services to more communities.
Mrs Eunice Asubiojo, Director of Environmental Services, who represented the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr Abubakar Jibrin, commended the foundation for its intervention and described it as beneficial to residents. Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the initiative, including Mr Yakubu Maiyaki, 65, who received free eye drops and medicated glasses, and Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, who noted that the glasses would improve his reading ability.