In an effort to tackle the growing challenge of blindness in Nigeria, health experts are calling on Nigerians to pledge to donate their corneas, highlighting the urgent need to address the acute shortage of corneas in the country.
The appeal was made during a symposium at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, Lagos, in commemoration of the 2024 World Organ Donation Day.
Ophthalmologists, specializing in the treatment and diagnosis of eye diseases, highlighted the critical role that cornea donation can play in reducing blindness caused by damaged corneas.
The symposium, organised by the Eye Bank for Restoring Sight, Nigeria, brought together leading voices in eye care to discuss the importance of organ donation, particularly cornea donation.
The cornea, the transparent front part of the eye, is essential for vision.
Damage to the cornea, often due to infections or trauma, can lead to severe visual impairment or blindness.
Unfortunately, Nigeria faces a significant shortage of donor corneas, limiting the availability of sight-restoring surgeries.
Chairman of the Eye Bank for Restoring Sight, Dr. Festus Odunayo Oshoba emphasized the Eye Bank’s pivotal role in providing and distributing donor corneas for transplantation.
Since its establishment in 2004 as a collaborative effort between the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) and the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind (FNSB), the Eye Bank has been instrumental in restoring sight to many Nigerians suffering from corneal blindness.
Operating under the Corneal Grafting Act of 1973 and the National Health Act of 2014, the Eye Bank’s mission is clear: to ensure that every Nigerian with corneal blindness has the opportunity to regain their sight through cornea grafting.
Dr. Oshoba urged Nigerians to pledge their corneas for donation after death, stressing that organ donation is a scientifically guided process aimed solely at restoring sight, not for any ritualistic purposes.
Dr. Oshoba also highlighted the need for increased public awareness and participation in cornea donation. He called on both governmental and non-governmental organizations to collaborate in promoting this cause, stating, “Our mission is to ensure that every Nigerian with corneal blindness can regain their sight through cornea grafting.”
Speaking on the symposium’s theme “Giving a gift that goes on living,” the keynote speaker, Dr. Bade Ogundipe explained that despite over 200 cornea transplants being performed in Nigeria, less than 10 corneas have been harvested since the Eye Bank’s inception.
He attributed this to a lack of awareness and the cultural reluctance surrounding organ donation.
“Many cornea problems in Nigeria stem from infections and untreated trauma,” Dr. Ogundipe explained.
“Unfortunately, people often resort to unorthodox treatments like applying urine, breast milk, or kerosene, which exacerbates the condition. This is why it’s crucial for health practitioners to educate the public on the importance of cornea care and donation.”
Dr. Ogundipe also pointed out the need for more training for eye bank technicians who are responsible for harvesting, processing, and storing corneas, as well as the need for better equipment to ensure the safety and effectiveness of cornea transplants.
Expanding the discussion beyond corneas, Prof. Jacob Awobusuyi addressed the broader impact of organ donation.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Be the Reason for Someone’s Smile Today,” he emphasized the life-saving potential of organ donation.
He presented staggering statistics on the global burden of organ failure, noting that conditions like kidney failure, heart failure, chronic liver disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect millions of people worldwide.
Organ transplantation, including corneas, offers these individuals a second chance at life. Prof. Awobusuyi explained that a single deceased donor could save or improve the lives of up to eight people by donating organs such as kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, pancreas, intestines, and corneas.
Addressing the ethical, religious, and legal considerations surrounding organ donation, Prof. Awobusuyi reassured attendees that major religions in Nigeria—Christianity, Islam, and traditional beliefs—support organ donation as an act of love, charity, and human solidarity.
He also emphasized that Nigeria’s legal framework supports organ donation when conducted ethically and without financial gain, preventing the illegal organ trade.
Prof. Awobusuyi concluded with a powerful message: “Even in death, we can give the gift of life. A single donor’s organs can save multiple lives, and efforts are underway to establish a deceased donor transplantation program in Nigeria. The body, as the final note stated, can indeed be a hero.”
As part of the advocacy campaign to encourage cornea donation, a neon green wristband was launched and distributed to individuals who pledged their corneas.
This wristband symbolizes their commitment to the cause and aims to inspire others to follow suit.
The symposium also featured moving testimonies from individuals who have benefited from cornea transplants, highlighting the life-changing impact of organ donation. These stories served as a poignant reminder of the difference that organ donors can make in the lives of others.
The 2024 World Organ Donation Day event at the LASUTH was not just a commemoration but a call to action.
Health experts, religious leaders, and advocates all came together with a unified message: Nigerians have the power to combat blindness and save lives through organ donation.
By pledging to donate their corneas and other organs, Nigerians can ensure that their legacy lives on, bringing sight and life to those in need.