The 2024 Nigeria National Eye Health Survey highlights that cataracts cause 44 per cent of blindness cases in Nigeria, where over 1.1 million people live with vision impairment.

To solve this problem, the Cataract Surgery Unit extension in Central Hospital Kwale, recently worked with Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF)’s team, to restore vision to hundreds of patients. This marked the start of free cataract surgeries conducted by VCDF’s eye surgery team.

In Delta State, untreated cataracts affect over 25,000 residents.

VCDF partnered with the Delta State Ministry of Health to hold surgeries at the Cataract Surgery Unit (CSU) under the Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services (SPECS) Programme.

The SPECS – Cataract Surgery Unit is fully supported by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).

Leading to cataract surgeries done, training on primary care service delivery was done to strengthen health workers’ capacity and public health system. It is noteworthy that 87 health workers were trained and 2,447 people were screened during 62 screening camps held in Delta State.

On 26th February 2026, VCDF successfully conducted its first set of cataract surgeries at Central Hospital Kwale, serving beneficiaries from Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West communities of Delta State. VCDF’s health team conducted patient screenings in the communities and transported them to the CSU, where certified ophthalmologists conducted pre-operative assessments and performed free surgeries. After the surgery, patients received medications and protective eye shields. Follow-up visits were arranged for all patients to ensure optimal recovery and care.

The outreach for cataract surgeries attracted large participation from both the young and elderly. Key participants highlighted the real impact on the community.

Godwin Ifeanyi Edema of Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom in Kwale, described the impact as immediate and life changing for residents.

Emeke Odigili, a beneficiary, expressed joy, saying he had almost lost hope of seeing clearly again until the free cataract surgery he got from VCDF.

Dr. Ernest Ogbedo, an Ophthalmologist at VCDF’s SPECS-CSU said, “Cataract remains one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness and timely surgery can completely restore vision. To date, the team has conducted 113 successful surgeries in Delta State.’’

Philip Ukemezia, VCDF’s Programmes Manager said, “Today marks a major milestone for VCDF as we restore sight and dignity to residents of nine LGAs of Akwa Ibom and Delta. VCDF has leveraged SEEPCO’s corporate social responsibility efforts to screen 11,858 and over 1,070 successful cataract and pterygium surgeries. VCDF has plans to provide free eye surgery services in neighboring LGAs and states.”

The commencement of free cataract surgeries reaffirms the foundation’s commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality, and sustainable eye health services in Nigeria