FG strengthens Stakeholder collaborations for improved eye health in Nigeria

FG strengthens Stakeholder collaborations for improved eye health in Nigeria

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reaffirmed its dedication to improving eye health outcomes in Nigeria through strengthened leadership, robust partnerships, and inclusive collaboration across all sectors in the country.

The Director, Public Health Department in the Ministry, Dr. Paul Ntadom made the assertion Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the 4th National Eye Health Coordination Meeting.

In his address titled “Strengthening Leadership, Strategic Collaboration, Partnership, and Progress Towards Improved Eye Health Outcomes in Nigeria,” Dr. Ntadom highlighted the foundational role of visionary leadership in driving equitable access to eye care across Nigeria.

“Leadership is not just about position, it’s about vision, action, and impact,” he said. “Strong and collaborative leadership is essential to develop effective policies, mobilize resources, and integrate eye care into the broader health system, ensuring no one is left behind.”

The Director emphasized the need for multi-sectoral collaboration involving government bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), healthcare providers, private entities, and communities thus calling on stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, and innovate together so as to drive progress as well as sustainability in eye health delivery.

“We must measure progress by outcomes, by the increased access to quality services in underserved areas, by the implementation of data-driven policies, and by the empowerment of communities,” he added.

At the meeting, Director and National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP), Dr. Okolo Oteri, welcomed representatives from the 36 States of the Federation, international partners, desk officers, and civil society organisations. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s mission to deliver integrated, patient-centered eye care services that are accessible throughout an individual’s life course.

“This platform is not just a meeting, it is a movement,” Dr. Oteri said. “Together, we are shaping the future of Nigeria’s eye health ecosystem. Our focus is on the people of Nigeria. We will continue to lead, partner, and innovate until every citizen, regardless of location or means, has access to quality eye care”

In a goodwill message, representative of the Country Director, Sightsavers, Joshua Ibenu,
noted the growing integration of ear and other sensory health into eye health planning and called for stronger implementation of national policies at the state level

According to him, the Organization has partnered with Nigeria for over seven decades, starting with efforts to eliminate river blindness and expanding into broader eye care initiatives across several states.

“We envision a world where no one is blind from preventable causes,” Dr. Ibenu said. “This coordination meeting provides visibility and momentum to the cause of eye health. It is encouraging to see national and state-level actors coming together to share best practices and build a united front.”

While commending the Federal Government’s willingness to include private sector stakeholders in eye health initiatives, he added, “We’re seeing a significant level of inclusion and effort from the National Eye Health Programme. There is always room for improvement, but the foundation is strong, and collaboration is deepening,”

From the states, practical testimonies also emerged, as Dr. Sam Bodawa, Desk Officer for Eye Health in Gombe State, shared transformative progress since partnering with the National Eye Health Programme.

“Before NEHP’s intervention, eye care in Gombe was nearly non-existent. Now, we’ve trained 231 primary healthcare workers in 77 facilities, making basic eye services accessible even in remote villages,” he said.

Dr. Bodawa highlighted the success of the diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma training programs, and the distribution of over 31,000 reading glasses through the “Jiggy Bola” initiative, which has restored near vision for thousands of adults aged 40 and above.

The Desk Officer who noted that patients that formerly depended on traditional healers now have trained health workers nearby, urged his colleagues to carry the meeting’s takeaways back to their States in order to reinforce State-level programming

The two-day coordination meeting, attended by local and international stakeholders including VisionSpring, CBM International, CHAN and, the Clinton Health Access Initiative aims to generate concrete action plans for improved eye health. These include enhanced data collection, strengthened policy dissemination, and greater integration of eye care into primary health services.

This strategic initiative highlights the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing eye health in the country through effective leadership, partnerships, and inclusive collaboration under the National Eye Health Program (NEHP).