Cataract Accounts For 43% Of Blindness As NNPCL, Abia Govt Begin Free Eye Surgeries
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in partnership with the Abia State Government, has commenced 1,000 free cataract extraction surgeries in Umuahia and Aba, targeting visually impaired persons in the state.
Speaking during the official flag-off of the medical outreach held in Umuahia. Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said cataract, which is preventable, accounts for 43 percent of blindness in Nigeria and poses a significant threat to national development.
Arukwe noted that cataract had become a burden to society and urged the public to take eye health seriously. She commended the Abia State Government and stakeholders for their support, stating that the foundation was “excited” to be of help to people that had lost their sights.
According to her, “sights are going to be restored” in the weeklong programme because “without sight you can do nothing”.
She disclosed that the free surgeries, which started earlier in Lagos and Ogun states, are also taking place across the South East and South-South zones. In Abia State, the surgeries are being conducted at Specialist Hospital Umuahia, Madonna Catholic Hospital Umuahia, and the State General Hospital Aba.
Representing Governor Alex Otti, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the programme aligns with the governor’s healthcare vision and advised residents to avoid patronising quacks, especially in eye-related matters.
“2,116 came for the screening, 1,399 people were screened for the free cataract surgeries from Aba and Umuahia, while 477 people were booked for the surgery,” Uche said.
He described cataract as the leading cause of global blindness and added that “for every cataract extracted it gives five times returns” on the economic value of the person whose eyesight was restored.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, and the Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, said mobilisation efforts reached all 17 local government areas. Emeka-Obasi said a three-day sensitisation campaign was effective, ensuring all communities benefitted.
Some beneficiaries who underwent surgery earlier in the week confirmed regaining their vision. Mr. Daniel Ikpa from Bende Local Government said, “After the plaster was removed, I realised that I can see again.”
THE WHISTLER reports that three children born with congenital blindness also benefitted from the exercise.
Grateful beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the NNPC Foundation and the Abia State Government and called for the programme to be sustained annually.
Cataract Accounts For 43% Of Blindness As NNPCL, Abia Govt Begin Free Eye Surgeries is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
