World Sight Day: FG Targets 25,000 Free Cataract Surgeries, Distributes 1.5m Reading Glasses
The Federal Government has targeted 25,000 free cataract surgeries across the country by the end of 2027 as part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and improve access to quality eye care.
The government also disclosed that it has distributed over 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles to Nigerians under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (ESCIN), also known as Jigibola 2.0.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, stated this in Abuja while commemorating 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, E-Health Division, Dr. Doris Aneke, mni, said eye health is both a public health and development priority due to its impact on education, productivity and quality of life.
He listed major interventions to include the training of over 3,000 healthcare workers across 16 states and the activation of more than 1,400 Primary Healthcare Centres to provide primary eye care.
Salako added that preparations are advanced to extend the reading glasses initiative to 10 additional states, adding that over 1.5 million school-age children have been screened for visual problems under the School Eye Health Programme.
According to him, four additional vision centres are being established in secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa States to strengthen referral pathways and bring services closer to the people.
“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,” he said.
The Minister noted that the planned surgeries under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative will restore sight, independence and productivity to thousands, noting that cataract remains a major cause of avoidable blindness.
He assured that the ministry will continue to work with state governments, development partners and the private sector to expand equitable access to quality eye care.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, mni, represented by Dr. Oteri Okolo, said protecting the sight of Nigerians is critical to national development, citing the ratification of Nigeria’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy by all 36 states and the FCT and the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028 as major milestones.
Development partners including the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Sightsavers Nigeria, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), CBM International, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Peek Vision and Helen Keller International, called for greater investment in inclusive and accessible eye services.
The Executive Secretary of NCPWD, Chief Ayuba Gufwan, urged that persons with disabilities be placed at the centre of eye health policies, noting that inaccessible facilities and communication barriers continue to limit access.
The statement was signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
