FG targets 5 million free spectacles, 25,000 cataract surgeries by 2027
By Precious Mark
The Federal Government has announced plans to scale up access to eye care in Nigeria, with a target to deliver at least five million free pairs of spectacles and 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027.
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while declaring open the 49th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association and the African Council of Optometry Annual General Meeting.
Speaking on the theme, “Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity,” Dr. Salako said the expansion will be done under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria, Jigi-Bola 2.0, as part of the Renewed Hope Health Connect programme.
He described Jigi-Bola 2.0 as a flagship mobile eye care initiative of the Tinubu administration aimed at reducing the burden of eye problems by reaching vulnerable populations.
According to him, the programme has so far screened nearly two million Nigerians and provided over 1.3 million people with free reading glasses. About 66% of beneficiaries, he said, received their first pair of spectacles.
Dr. Salako added that the expansion is part of the implementation of the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan 2024-2028, which seeks to strengthen integrated eye care services across primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities.
The Minister also announced that the Ministry has launched the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit to standardise diagnosis, treatment and referral nationwide.
He said ophthalmologists from all 36 states and the FCT have been trained to cascade the guidelines, while over 2,220 Primary Health Care workers in 16 states have been equipped to conduct vision screening and referrals under Jigi-Bola 2.0.
He commended optometrists for their role in community eye health, early detection and referrals, describing them as “indispensable partners” in reducing avoidable blindness and visual impairment.
Dr. Salako reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s commitment to work with the Nigerian Optometric Association and other stakeholders to expand access to quality vision services and advance universal eye health coverage under the Renewed Hope Agenda.