Writing By Teddy Daniel; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
Sightsavers Nigeria Country Office has called on the Kaduna State Government to strengthen eye health services at both primary and secondary health facilities to improve access to quality eye care, especially in rural communities.
The Programme Director for Neglected Tropical Diseases at Sightsavers Nigeria, Mrs. Anita Gwom, made the call during activities marking the 2025 World Sight Day celebration in Kaduna.
She said the organization has been working in collaboration with the National Eye Centre and other partners to ensure that residents of the state have adequate access to essential eye care services.
Mrs. Gwom also emphasized the need for the government to implement regular school eye screenings and support the training of ophthalmologists and ophthalmic nurses to improve service delivery across the state.
She noted that children’s eyes should be checked annually to detect and prevent conditions that could lead to vision loss in adulthood.
According to her, this year’s World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes,” aims to encourage people to take responsibility for their eye health by going for routine screenings and avoiding habits that can damage the eyes, such as reading in dim light or looking directly at the sun.
Mrs. Gwom explained that despite the importance of eye care, public awareness remains low, with many people unaware of where eye clinics are located within hospitals.
She added that Sightsavers is conducting sensitization walks and distributing educational materials across Kaduna to raise awareness about simple practices that can help preserve vision.
The Programme Director reaffirmed Sightsavers’ commitment to working with the Kaduna State Government, the National Eye Centre, and other partners to make eye health a priority and bring quality services closer to the people, particularly at the grassroots.
In her remarks,the Chief Medical Director of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Dr. Amina Hassan Wali called on the government to increase funding for eye health and integrate eye care into all levels of the national health system.
Dr. Wali emphasized that eye health plays a crucial role in education, employment, and social development, noting that improved vision care contributes significantly to national productivity.
She explained that the National Eye Centre, established over 35 years ago, remains Nigeria’s only tertiary hospital dedicated solely to eye care, receiving referrals from across the country and neighboring nations.
According to her, the centre has trained skilled personnel and support staff to deliver quality eye care services in line with its mandate of research, training, and service delivery.
Dr. Wali stated that World Sight Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of good vision and to remind stakeholders of the need to strengthen eye care services.
She urged more commitment toward policy implementation and resource allocation to enhance access to quality eye care for all Nigerians.
“The government has done well, but more can still be done. We need more funding for eye health, and we want to see eye care made a key part of the health system in every hospital,” she said.
Also speaking, the Kaduna State Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to quality eye care services across all levels of the health system.
The Director of Public Health, Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Idris, said eye health remains a key priority for the State Government, noting that several interventions are ongoing to promote proper eye care and reduce avoidable blindness.
He explained that community sensitization and enlightenment campaigns have been intensified to correct misconceptions and encourage people to seek professional medical attention for eye related issues.
According to him, health personnel at primary health care facilities have been trained to screen, manage, and refer eye conditions appropriately, being the first point of contact for most residents.
He noted that thousands of people have already benefited from screening exercises and the distribution of corrective spectacles under the state’s ongoing eye care programmes.
Dr. Idris further disclosed that through a partnership with Sightsavers and the National Eye Centre, hundreds of primary school teachers have been trained to detect early signs of visual impairment among pupils and refer them for appropriate care.
The Director reaffirmed that while the state has made significant progress, more efforts are underway to ensure that every citizen especially children has access to timely and affordable eye care services.
