The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd Foundation (NNPC), in partnership with the Abia State government, has successfully conducted a week-long outreach program providing free cataract extraction surgeries to 1,000 residents, highlighting both the preventability and treatability of cataract-related blindness.
The initiative, which began with a state-wide sensitization campaign on April 6, saw surgeries performed starting April 9 at Abia Specialist Hospital and Madonna Catholic Hospital in Umuahia, as well as General Hospital Aba. A prior screening phase from March 31 to April 5 examined 2,116 individuals with impaired vision, booking 477 for surgery after screening 1,339 in Aba alone.
Key findings from the outreach underscored cataracts’ global impact, accounting for approximately 50 million blindness cases worldwide and 43% of Nigeria’s cases. Notably, three children under ten, congenitally blind but unrelated, were identified for surgery. “The leading causes of congenital blindness worldwide are genetic mutations and congenital abnormalities, which in some cases are preventable factors, such as infections during pregnancy,” medical experts noted.
The programme also revealed cases of immature cataracts, suspected glaucoma, pterygium, and refractive errors, alongside complications from “couching” — treatments by unqualified practitioners. “There was a particular case of a woman who believed she was receiving treatment but got blind in both eyes under a wayside healer (coucher),” a medical official reported. Patients were advised to seek professional care early and avoid such practices, with efforts underway to address these unqualified healers.
NNPC Foundation Managing Director, Mrs. Immanuella Arukwe, emphasized the outreach’s goal during the launch: “We are excited to be of help to people who have lost their sight to this preventable disease, whose sight is going to be restored. Cataract is an eye disease, and every effort should be made to save it. Hence, without sight, one can do nothing.” She added, “Our target is to attend to 1,000 patients in Abia State so that the patients that regain their sight would, expectedly, contribute to the country’s economic growth.” The initiative, which began in the South West in January, now extends to the South East and South South zones.
Dr. Ann Amugo, the Foundation’s consultant coordinating the surgeries, praised Governor Alex Otti’s health sector efforts and partnership. Representing the governor, Abia State Health Commissioner, Professor Enoch Uche, highlighted research showing that cataract treatment enhances patients’ productivity fivefold, offering them a “new lease of life.”
Patients shared uplifting testimonies post-surgery. Dan Ikpa remarked, “After the plaster placed on my eye was removed, I started to see again.” A 54-year-old woman, blind in one eye prior to the procedure, noted, “My operated eye became brighter than the one I was seeing with before my surgery.”
The outreach aligned with Governor Otti’s vision for quality healthcare and openness to partnerships. Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, State Outreach Coordinator and Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, advocated for the program to become an annual, rotating initiative to reach more residents, particularly in rural areas. “The testimonies of those that underwent the surgeries asserted that their sight/vision was restored,” she said.
Attention now turns to the outcomes for the three congenitally blind children. Their parents expressed hope, stating, “Their born condition was unexpected. We have been praying for the reversal. Hence, managing them has been both day and nightmares, seeking/questing for the solution and now especially praying that this comes from this free outreach.” According to Google, congenital blindness results from improper eye development during pregnancy, and early diagnosis is critical for effective support.
The outreach has sparked calls for expanded efforts to combat preventable blindness across Abia’s rural communities, reinforcing the impact of collaborative healthcare initiatives.
