FG Targets 25,000 Free Cataract Surgeries By 2027 To Curb Avoidable Blindness
The Federal Government has set a target of 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027, alongside expanded eye care services, in a renewed push to tackle avoidable blindness and improve access to treatment across Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the target during the commemoration of the 2026 World Sight Day in Abuja, stressing that access to quality eye care is essential to education, productivity and national development.
Salako, represented by the Director of the E-Health Division, Dr Doris Afam Aneke, said the planned surgeries would be delivered under the Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative to restore sight, independence and livelihoods to thousands of Nigerians.
He described eye health as a public health and development priority, warning that preventable vision problems should not deprive children of education or force Nigerians to live with avoidable blindness because treatment is unaffordable.
Highlighting progress under the government’s eye health interventions, the minister said more than 3,000 healthcare workers had been trained across 16 states, while over 1,400 primary healthcare centres had been activated to provide basic eye care services.
He added that more than 1.5 million pairs of reading spectacles had been distributed under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria, also known as Jajibola 2.0, with plans to extend the programme to 10 more states.
The School Eye Health Programme has also screened over 1.5 million school-age children for visual problems.
According to the minister, four additional vision centres are being established in secondary healthcare facilities in Enugu, Edo, Sokoto and Nasarawa states to strengthen referrals and bring specialist services closer to communities.
He said the interventions formed part of efforts to integrate eye care into the country’s health system and advance universal health coverage.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daju Kachollom, represented by Dr Oteri Okolo, said Nigeria had recorded progress in eye health over the past decade through improved policies, coordination and partnerships.
She cited the country’s first Comprehensive National Eye Health Policy, ratified by all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and the National Strategic Eye Health Plan 2024–2028 as key steps towards strengthening service delivery.
She also commended professional bodies, development partners and implementing organisations for supporting eye care programmes nationwide.
Meanwhile, health and development partners have called for sustained investment in prevention, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation and accessible eye care, particularly for children, women, persons with disabilities and underserved communities.
The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Chief Ayuba Burki Gufwan, urged policymakers to place persons with disabilities at the centre of eye health programmes.
He noted that inaccessible facilities, communication barriers and inadequate consideration of individual needs continued to limit access to healthcare.
Organisations including Sightsavers Nigeria, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, CBM International, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, Peek Vision and Helen Keller International also called for stronger partnerships to expand equitable access to eye care.
The Clinton Health Access Initiative emphasised the integration of eye care into primary healthcare, while Peek Vision highlighted the role of technology, screening and reliable data in connecting patients to appropriate services.
OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation called for sustainable partnerships and a lifelong approach to vision care.
Salako also highlighted Nigeria’s growing role in global eye health, including its co-hosting of the first Global Summit for Eye Health, scheduled for 2 November in Antigua and Barbuda.
He said the summit would provide an opportunity to promote the integration of eye care into universal health coverage and strengthen Nigeria’s contribution to global health diplomacy.
The minister urged Nigerians to undergo regular eye examinations, seek early treatment and adopt healthy practices to protect their vision.
“When people can see clearly, they can learn better, work better, contribute more and live fuller lives,” he said.
The 2026 World Sight Day was commemorated under the global theme, “Love Your Eyes”, with Nigeria’s national sub-theme, “Protect Your Vision, See Clearly, Live Fully.”
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