FG To Integrate Primary Eye Care Into PHC System, Targets Wider Access To Vision Services
The Federal Government has announced plans to integrate Primary Eye Care (PEC) into Nigeria’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system as part of efforts to prevent avoidable blindness and expand access to quality eye care services nationwide.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this on Thursday, 9 October 2025, in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2025 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes.”
Represented by Dr Jimoh Olawale Salaudeen, mni, Director of Hospital Services, the minister said the initiative aims to reach millions of Nigerians, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Dr Salako explained that integrating PEC into PHC will enable frontline health workers to diagnose and treat simple eye conditions while referring complex cases to specialists, ensuring early detection and reducing vision loss.
He also announced the rollout of the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (Jigibola 2.0) to distribute five million free reading glasses across 15 states within three years.
He noted that vision health is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in reducing poverty and improving productivity. “By prioritising eye health today, we are investing in a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow for Nigeria,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daju Kachollom, mni, represented by Dr Oteri Okolo Eme, National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme (NESHP), urged Nigerians to adopt regular eye check-ups, stressing that eye health is critical to national development and universal health coverage.
Dr Eme highlighted significant milestones, including the training of over 2,200 PHC workers, 3,000 free cataract surgeries, and the distribution of more than 1.2 million reading glasses within a year.
She, however, acknowledged challenges such as funding gaps and limited data, pledging continued collaboration with global partners to strengthen Nigeria’s eye health system.
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