By Admin
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled an ambitious plan to provide at least five million Nigerians with free spectacles and carry out 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027 as part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and expand access to quality eye care nationwide.
The initiative will be delivered through the expanded Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (Jigi-Bola 2.0) under the Renewed Hope Health Connect programme.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced the target at the 49th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and the Annual General Meeting of the African Council of Optometry (AFCO) in Abuja.
Speaking on the conference theme, "Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity," Salako said the government has prioritised eye health as a critical public health and development issue, noting that preventable vision loss continues to undermine the productivity, independence and quality of life of millions of Nigerians.
He described Jigi-Bola 2.0 as a flagship health intervention designed to take eye care services directly to underserved communities.
"The Jigi-Bola 2.0 programme is an iconic mobile eye care initiative that reflects Mr. President's determination to reduce the burden of eye diseases by reaching vulnerable populations where they live," he said.
Salako said the programme has already screened nearly two million Nigerians and distributed more than 1.3 million free reading glasses. He noted that about 66 per cent of beneficiaries received spectacles for the first time.
He said the scale-up of the programme forms part of the implementation of the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028), which seeks to strengthen integrated eye care services at the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels.
He announced that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has launched the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit to standardise glaucoma diagnosis, treatment and referral across the country.
Ophthalmologists from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have been trained to implement the guidelines, while more than 2,220 primary healthcare workers across 16 states have been equipped to carry out vision screening and referrals under the Jigi-Bola 2.0 initiative.
Salako commended Nigerian optometrists for their contribution to community eye health, early detection of eye diseases and timely referrals, describing them as indispensable partners in the country's efforts to reduce avoidable blindness.
He reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to working with the Nigerian Optometric Association and other stakeholders to strengthen community eye care, improve access to quality vision services and advance universal eye health coverage under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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