Tinubu approves initiatives to provide 5m eyeglasses to Nigerians with sight problems

President Bola Tinubu has thrown his full support behind a transformative partnership between the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Eye Health Programme and the Peek Vision Foundation.

Telescope.ng reports that this collaboration aims to provide over 5 million pairs of eyeglasses to Nigerians with sight impairments, marking a significant step towards improving eye health in the nation.

During a courtesy visit by Prof. Andrew Bastawrous, Founder and CEO of Peek Vision Foundation and Co-Founder of the Vision Catalyst Fund, President Tinubu shared a deeply personal story that underscores the importance of this initiative.

He recounted his mother’s illness, during which she couldn’t recognize him until she received treatment and a pair of glasses. Her heartfelt question about those who lacked someone like him to intervene left a lasting impression on him and fueled his commitment to mass eye care provision.

Inspired by his mother’s passion for healing others, President Tinubu initiated the “Jigi Bola” programme during his tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 2001.

This groundbreaking program provided free eye screenings and surgeries to Lagosians and set a precedent for proactive eye care initiatives in West Africa.

Addressing the pressing need for improved eye health services in Nigeria, the president expressed concern about the more than 24 million Nigerians grappling with vision impairments of varying degrees. He emphasized the pivotal role sight and vision play in economic development and growth.

He said: “My first experience was with my mother of blessed memory. She was ill and she could not recognise me. When I intervened, she was treated and given a pair of glasses. The next question she asked me was: I have you, and you are able to do this for me. What about those other women and their children who may not have somebody like you to intervene for them?

“So I made a promise to her that I will pursue the mass provision of eye care vigorously and that I would provide free eye screenings and surgeries to people because of that question my mother asked me and because of her passion to see others healed. We eventually impacted the eye health of millions of people in Lagos, and you could see their joy over the immediate sight enhancements when they were given a pair of glasses.

“We must act now because sight and vision is critical to economic development and growth,” the President said, recalling his visionary “Jigi Bola” programme, which was initiated during his tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 2001 and provided free eye screenings and surgeries to Lagosians while setting a new precedent for proactive eye care initiatives in West Africa.

“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”

Prof. Bastawrous, echoing the President’s commitment, highlighted the transformative power of good vision. He shared his personal journey, recalling how a pair of glasses changed his life at the age of 12, enhancing his learning and opportunities.

Eye care remains under-resourced in many countries, with Nigeria allocating only 0.0002 percent of its health budget to eye health. Prof. Bastawrous praised President Tinubu’s dedicated health team and expressed the Peek Vision Foundation’s readiness to bring its methodology and platform to Nigeria to unlock resources for this vital cause.

Through the Vision Catalyst Fund, the foundation has secured a donation of 200 million pairs of glasses, with a significant proportion intended for Nigeria.

At the conclusion of the event, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, joined by Dr. Oteri Okolo, Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, and Dr. Chukuma Anyaike, Director of Public Health, presented a National Policy Document on Eye Health to President Tinubu.

President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to improving eye health in Nigeria is a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians with sight impairments, promising a brighter future filled with clearer vision and enhanced opportunities. This partnership between the government and organizations like the Peek Vision Foundation is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and collective action.