KANO, Nigeria — More than 4.24 million Nigerians are currently affected by blindness or visual impairment, mostly from preventable or treatable conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and uncorrected refractive errors, according to Sightsavers International.
The organisation’s Advocacy Coordinator, Ms. Esther Bature, who represented the Country Director, Prof. Joy Shuaibu, disclosed this during a two-day workshop for journalists from North-West Nigeria, held in Kano.
Bature lamented the limited access to eye health services in Nigeria, noting that only 4.4 per cent of Nigerians currently receive eye care compared to 38 per cent in middle-income countries. She called for increased investment and awareness to tackle avoidable blindness nationwide.
Founded in 1950, Sightsavers has maintained a presence in Nigeria for over five decades, promoting health, education, and disability inclusion. Bature urged government and stakeholders to adopt the organisation’s “4Ps Approach” — Preserve, Prioritise, Prevent, and Protect — to strengthen eye health initiatives and bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.
She also emphasized the need for inclusive policies, particularly for women, children, and persons with disabilities, while reaffirming Sightsavers’ commitment to supporting national programmes that advance disability inclusion and eye health.
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