Minister says eye health is a public health and development priority; partners call for inclusive care
The Federal Government has set a target of 25,000 free cataract surgeries nationwide by the end of 2027, as part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and improve access to quality eye care.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced this at the commemoration of the 2026 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes”, with the national sub-theme “Protect Your Vision, See Clearly, Live Fully.”
Represented by Dr. Doris Afam Aneke, mni, Director of the E-Health Division, the Minister said the government treats eye health as both a public health and a development priority, given its impact on education, productivity, independence and quality of life.
“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,” the Minister said.
He said the planned surgeries, under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative, would restore sight, independence and productivity to thousands of Nigerians. He described cataract as a major cause of avoidable blindness in the country.
Key interventions
Dr. Salako listed the following achievements by the government and its partners:
- Over 3,000 healthcare workers trained across 16 states.
- More than 1,400 primary healthcare centres activated to provide primary eye care.
- Over 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles distributed in 16 states under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (ESCIN), also known as Jajibola 2.0. Preparations are advanced to extend it to 10 more states.
- Over 1.5 million school-age children screened through the School Eye Health Programme.
- Four additional vision centres being set up in secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa States.
According to the Minister, the interventions are designed to strengthen the continuum of eye care, improve referral pathways and bring services closer to where people live.
“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,” Dr. Salako stated.
He assured Nigerians that the Ministry would keep working with state governments, development partners, professional associations and the private sector to expand equitable access to quality eye care. He urged Nigerians to make eye health a personal and collective responsibility through regular eye examinations, early treatment and healthy practices.
Dr. Salako also noted Nigeria’s growing role in global eye health, including its co-hosting of the first-ever Global Summit for Eye Health on November 2 in Antigua and Barbuda. He described the summit as an opportunity to integrate eye health into Universal Health Coverage and strengthen Nigeria’s contribution to global health diplomacy.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom S., mni, represented by Dr. Oteri Okolo, said eye health is fundamental to “human dignity, educational attainment, economic productivity and individual independence,” and that protecting Nigerians’ sight is critical to national development.
She said the sector has made significant progress over the past decade through stronger policy governance, multisectoral collaboration and strategic partnerships. She cited Nigeria’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy, ratified by all 36 states and the FCT, and the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028. She also cited the establishment of state and national eye health coordination structures. She commended professional bodies, development partners and implementing organisations for their sustained contributions.
Partners at the event called for greater investment in prevention, early detection, timely treatment, rehabilitation and accessible services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. They included 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.
The NCPWD Executive Secretary, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, stressed the need to place persons with disabilities at the centre of eye health policies. He said “inaccessible facilities, communication barriers” and inadequate attention to specific needs continue to limit access to healthcare.
Sightsavers Nigeria, CBM International and Helen Keller International urged stakeholders to make eye care “equitable, inclusive and accessible to all,” especially children, women, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.
CHAI highlighted the importance of integrating eye care into the Primary Healthcare System. It noted its collaboration with the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme to bring primary eye care closer to communities and expand access to reading glasses.
Peek Vision underscored the role of technology, screening and quality data in connecting people to care. OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation called for sustainable partnerships, innovation and a lifelong continuum of 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. They called for sustained collaboration and reaffirmed their commitment to affordable, inclusive and quality eye care.
