Federal Government has launched three initiatives to improve eye health in Nigeria.

This is coming at the backdrop of statistics showing that about 1.3 million Nigerians are blind, with over 80 per cent of the cases stemming from avoidable causes. Also, 24 million Nigerians live with treatable sight loss caused by untreated cataract and uncorrected refractive errors.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, who unveiled the initiative at an event to mark 2023 World Sight Day in Abuja, yesterday, said the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan (2024-2028) represents the commitment of the Federal Government to attainment of the highest quality of eye health for its people.

Also, in a statement to mark the Day, the Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, Sunday Isiyaku, called for eye health to be made available to everyone. According to him, “no one should be disadvantaged because of where they live, their gender, health or background. But currently it is inaccessible for some sectors of society and even a luxury for those in urban areas.”