Lions Club to sponsor 50 cataract surgeries in Lagos

The Anthony Village Emerald Lions Club says it will sponsor 50 cataract surgeries as part of measures to prevent avoidable blindness among Nigerians.

Its President, Dayo Arogbo, disclosed this during her investiture and fundraising as the 7th President of the club in Lagos.

Cataract surgery is a procedure that replaces a cloudy natural lens in the eye with an artificial lens. It has a high success rate in improving eyesight.

Cataracts are prevalent in Nigeria and are the most common cause of blindness and severe visual impairment in the country.

The 2018 Nigerian National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey (NNBVIS) estimated that cataracts accounted for about 43 per cent of visual impairment cases in Nigeria.

Arogbo noted that Lions Club had a long history of fighting major causes of preventable and reversible blindness and assisting those who are blind or visually impaired.

“Our core project for 2024/2025 Lions year is actually to sponsor 20 cataract surgeries, however, based on consultation with my team, we’ve increased the number to 50 surgeries.

“Our partners have subsidised the cost of each surgery to N150, 000 and this will enable us to impact more lives which is the essence of Lions,” she said.

According to Arogbo, her core projects also include facilitating the external flooring of Anthony Village Health Centre and continuing the building of a school Assembly hall for Ajao Estate Junior High School.

She disclosed that at the start of the 2024/2025 lion’s year, the club had conducted some projects, such as tree planting within its community and converting a point into a recreational area, done in collaboration with the District.

Arogbo added that the youths were also engaged and trained in healthcare, skill development, digital literacy, and raising awareness against drug addiction.

“We also donated sanitary items, including cash donations to the Oncology Ward at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

“We have also conducted eye screenings, distributed free eyeglasses, and continue our monthly humanitarian community outreach to fulfil our global causes,” she said.

Arogbo acknowledged that the task ahead was daunting; however, expressed confidence that collaboration would assist in achieving desired targets and excelling in its service to humanity.

Similarly, Dr Folasade Shotomide, District Governor, District 404A3 Nigeria, advised the club to strive for excellence in its service and create a brighter future for its community.

“Go for the best, and always remember that our service is not just about what we do, but how we make others feel,” Shotomide said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lions Club is an international service organisation, with the mission of empowering volunteers to serve their communities, meeting humanitarian needs and promoting peace and understanding worldwide.

Lions focus on projects that address local and global challenges, emphasising eight core projects, which include hunger, sight, diabetes, youth development, environment, childhood cancer, disaster relief and humanitarian.