Sightsavers Unveils Initiative to Tackle Blindness in Kaduna, 3 other states

Sightsavers International has launched the SeeClear Nigeria Inclusive Eye Health Care Services Delivery Programme in four northern states. According to the organisation, the initiative, which spans Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara, and Sokoto States, seeks to make essential eye health services more affordable and accessible, particularly for marginalized communities. Sightsavers’ Country Director in Nigeria, Dr. Joy Shu’aibu, […]

Sightsavers International has launched the SeeClear Nigeria Inclusive Eye Health Care Services Delivery Programme in four northern states.

According to the organisation, the initiative, which spans Kaduna, Plateau, Zamfara, and Sokoto States, seeks to make essential eye health services more affordable and accessible, particularly for marginalized communities.

Sightsavers’ Country Director in Nigeria, Dr. Joy Shu’aibu, during the flag-off event in Kaduna, emphasized that the organization is committed to preventing avoidable blindness in Nigeria.

“No Nigerian would be allowed to go blind from causes that are avoidable, under our watch,” she stated.

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Dr. Shu’aibu highlighted that Sightsavers has been working in Nigeria for over 70 years, providing eye health assistance, with special attention to children, whom she described as the future generation.

“The SeeClear project is a three-year initiative spearheaded by Sightsavers in Kaduna, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. The programme aims to reduce avoidable vision impairment and provide accessible and affordable eye health services for everyone, including people with disabilities, women, children, and other marginalized groups in these four states,” she explained.

She further stated that the program, running from 2025 to 2027, is designed to provide equitable eye care services to deserving communities, ensuring that these services are delivered closer to the people at minimal cost.

“We are hoping that in the next three years, we will prevent avoidable blindness in many communities, enabling people to provide for their families and contribute to society,” she said.

She noted that while the services would be low-cost, they would not be entirely free to ensure sustainability.

“We will be distributing spectacles, ensuring that glasses are available for children, and providing surgeries for those who need them most,” she added.

Dr. Shu’aibu also revealed that the four selected states are serving as model states for the initiative, saying the funding currently covers these four states but after three years, they will assess the impact and determine whether to scale it up to other states.

She commended the Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, and Kaduna State Governments for their support in making the program possible.

The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, praised the initiative, emphasizing that four state governments have embraced the program, recognizing the importance of sustainability.

Similarly, the Representative of the Eye Health Care Committee in the North West, Abdulkadir Lawal Rafindadi, applauded Sightsavers for the initiative, stressing that the SeeClear project will reach grassroots communities where many people are unaware of such services.