… Plan free cataract surgeries for 500+ Nigerians

The Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) has warned that more than two million Nigerians are living with avoidable blindness.

Meanwhile, over 500 Nigerians are to benefit from free cataract surgeries under a major humanitarian eye-care intervention being launched by the association .

The free surgeries, which will commence on Thursday, August 27, 2026, are part of activities preceding the 51st Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the OSN scheduled to hold from September 2 to 4 in Abuja.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the conference, the Vice President of the OSN, Prof Abdullahi Rafindadi, who represented the society’s president, said the medical intervention was designed to translate the profession’s scientific advances into direct relief for Nigerians suffering from preventable visual impairment.

He noted that patients had already been screened at designated health facilities, including the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Asokoro District Hospital and Mararaba General Hospital, with more than 500 patients identified as having cataracts and medically fit for surgery.

According to him, the exercise is open to all eligible patients without discrimination, with comprehensive eye examinations also being provided and glasses or medication prescribed where necessary.

Rafindadi stated that the humanitarian campaign reflects its broader commitment to tackling avoidable blindness, which remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria.

He observed Nigeria’s eye-care system was still struggling to meet the country’s required cataract surgical rate, despite improvements in specialist training, equipment and access to advanced ophthalmic procedures.

Rafindadi disclosed that the Northwest geopolitical zone currently leads the country in cataract surgery delivery, while other regions are recording gradual improvements.

He also revealed that eye-care services are increasingly being integrated into primary healthcare, with the number of states participating in the programme rising from 14 to 21.

In Bauchi State alone, more than 2,500 primary healthcare workers have reportedly been trained and integrated into basic eye-care services, a development the society said could help improve early detection and referral of eye diseases.

Rafindadi emphasized the need to leverage technology to bridge the manpower gap, describing it as a possible solution to the country’s persistent shortage and uneven distribution of eye-care services.

He pointed out that the theme of this year’s conference, “Reimagining Eye Care in the Digital Era”, is apt considering that artificial intelligence, teleophthalmology, telescreening, portable digital diagnostic equipment and electronic health infrastructure could transform access to eye care, particularly for underserved communities.

Rafindadi stated that the society would explore ways of localising and scaling such technologies to overcome barriers created by cost, distance and shortages of trained personnel.

He said, “Technology offers unprecedented tools to bridge gaps in clinical delivery,” he said, stressing the need to deploy innovation to reach Nigerians who remain outside the conventional eye-care system”.

Rafindadi noted that the challenge was no longer confined to rural communities, adding that rapid urbanisation had created large populations of underserved Nigerians within major cities as well.

He revealed plans to examine how teleophthalmology and other digital tools can be deployed both in rural areas and underserved urban communities.

‘Japa’ worsening manpower shortage
The OSN also expressed concern over the continued migration of Nigerian medical professionals, popularly known as “Japa,” saying the trend was contributing to the shortage and maldistribution of eye-care specialists, he added.

Rafindadi said the society could not prevent professionals from leaving the country but would continue to advocate for better working conditions and policies capable of reducing the factors driving health workers abroad.

He called on federal, state and local governments to employ more ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and other eye-care professionals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

According to him, inadequate government employment and security concerns have contributed to the concentration of eye-care specialists in major population centres.

Warning over harmful traditional eye practices
The society also raised concern over harmful traditional eye treatments, warning Nigerians against submitting their eyes to unregulated substances and practices that could result in permanent loss of vision.

Rafindadi said the problem required a combination of stronger legislation, public enlightenment and engagement with traditional medicine practitioners.

Rather than relying solely on enforcement, the Rafindadi advocated collaboration with institutions involved in traditional medicine to distinguish potentially useful practices from harmful ones and prevent dangerous treatments from being administered to patients.
He observed that recent cases, particularly in Kano State, had demonstrated the devastating consequences of harmful traditional eye practices and urged Nigerians to seek qualified eye-care professionals instead of relying on unverified traditional remedies.

Rafindadi further disclosed that more than 1.5 million reading glasses had been distributed under the Jigibola 2.0 initiative, with a target of reaching five million people by 2027.

He observed that the programme, implemented through the Federal Ministry of Health and partners, is aimed particularly at addressing near-vision problems while also providing refraction services for people requiring distance-vision correction.

Rafindadi noted that improving access to basic corrective services remained essential to reducing the burden of visual impairment across the country.

Despite the challenges, the ophthalmologist said Nigeria had recorded significant progress in specialist eye-care services over the past decade.

He cited the establishment of two ophthalmic simulation centres in Lagos and Ibadan, which are expected to provide opportunities for ophthalmologists to improve their surgical skills.

Rafindadi also noted that advanced vitreo-retinal surgical services, once largely unavailable outside a few centres, are now being offered in several parts of the country, including Benin, Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna and Kano.

The developments, according to him demonstrate that Nigeria’s ophthalmology sector is making steady progress despite persistent funding, manpower and access challenges.

Rafindadi urged the media to partner with it in raising public awareness, influencing policy and ensuring that discussions around eye health translate into concrete action.