No fewer than 500 vulnerable persons in Niger State have regained their sight through the free eye cataract operations conducted by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Foundation, held at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Bosso Low-Cost, Minna.

The Managing Director of the foundation, Mrs. Emmanuela Arukwe, hinted that the initiative was aimed to restore the vision of six thousand Nigerians across the six geo-political zones of the country.

Mrs. Arukwe, who spoke through Adamu Sani, Manager, Education of the foundation, who is also the Team Leader, noted that the organization believes in building a society where no one is left behind, saying the free eye cataract programme is a testament to that commitment.

The NNPC Foundation boss revealed that the programme has already been held in the South-West, South-East, as well as South-South geopolitical zones, providing free cataract screenings, surgeries, and public education about eye health.

Mrs. Arukwe’s words: “The cataracts account for 50% of blindness cases witnessed in Nigeria, and limited access to quality eye care exacerbates this challenge.”

Earlier in his keynote address, the Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Niger State, Dr. Bello Tukur, disclosed that in Niger State there are over 5,000 adults with cataract as backlog, adding that another 500 new cases are reported yearly.

He stated that the program is open to everyone, with no criteria for selection, and that beneficiaries are being treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tukur urged the NNPC Foundation to assist the state government in the area of provision of equipment to help reduce the backlog.

The Chairperson of the Eye Care Program in Niger State, Dr. Halima Isah, explained that 200 persons from Chanchaga Local Council benefited from the programme, while the remaining 300 were from Bida.

Also speaking, the Community Head of Bosso Low-Cost, Alhaji Abdullahi Sai’du, appreciated the NNPC Foundation for the intervention.

One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Mohammed Sallah, who spoke to Guardian, said she was overwhelmed with the humanitarian gesture of the foundation for restoring her sight.

Fatima added: “I was seeing darkness before, but today, I have seen light. Glory be to Almighty Allah. I pray that Allah rewards the NNPC Foundation management.”