President Bola Tinubu has thrown his full support behind a partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Eye Health Programme and the Peek Vision Foundation.
This was revelealed According to the statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale. The aim of this collaboration is to deliver over 5 million pairs of eyeglasses to Nigerians who suffer from sight impairments.
President Tinubu’s endorsement of this initiative, which took place in Abuja, reflects his personal commitment to addressing eye health issues.
The President shared a touching story of how his first encounter with eye health related to his mother, who fell ill and struggled to recognize him due to her vision problems. Following his intervention and her successful treatment, she was provided with a pair of glasses.
This experience prompted him to promise his mother that he would vigorously pursue mass eye care provision, offering free eye screenings and surgeries to those in need. This dedication led to the improved eye health of millions in Lagos, with many experiencing immediate joy and enhanced sight upon receiving eyeglasses.
Tinubu said: “I am in support of this initiative, and I will encourage the mobilisation of further commitment to see this through and to reach vulnerable people all across our country. Some parents may not pay attention to this, but I will, because I am touched.”
President Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for enhanced eye health services in Nigeria, given that more than 24 million Nigerians grapple with various levels of vision impairments. He underscored the critical role of sight and vision in driving economic development and growth. He recalled his “Jigi Bola” programme initiated during his tenure as Lagos State’s Executive Governor in 2001, which not only provided free eye screenings and surgeries but also set a precedent for proactive eye care initiatives in West Africa.
Prof. Andrew Bastawrous, Founder and CEO of Peek Vision Foundation and Co-Founder of the Vision Catalyst Fund, expressed his unwavering commitment to the cause.
He highlighted the transformative power of good vision, sharing his personal story of how a pair of eyeglasses drastically improved his life during childhood. Prof. Bastawrous pointed out that eye care remains under-resourced in many countries, including Nigeria, where a mere fraction of the health budget is allocated to eye health. He proposed bringing Peek Vision’s methodology and platform to Nigeria to unlock resources from various sources, citing successful fundraising efforts in other countries.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, along with key figures from the National Eye Health Programme, presented a National Policy Document on Eye Health to President Tinubu, marking a significant step towards addressing vision issues in Nigeria.
