The Nation Newspaper

Category: Health

  • Tinubu: Over 4,000 women received free C-sections, 1,000 PHCs revitalised in two years

    Tinubu: Over 4,000 women received free C-sections, 1,000 PHCs revitalised in two years

    Over 4,000 women have benefited from free caesarean sections, and 1,000 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) have been revitalised across Nigeria within President Bola Tinubu’s first two years in office.

    The President made these disclosures during a national broadcast on Thursday, commemorating his second anniversary in office.

    Elected on May 29, 2023, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to delivering people-oriented policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare, especially for underserved populations.

    According to Tinubu, one of the central pillars of his health agenda has been the rehabilitation and upgrading of primary healthcare facilities nationwide.

    He stated that 1,000 PHCs have already been revitalised, offering improved healthcare services in both urban and rural areas.

    “In addition to the 1,000 PHCs already revitalised, we are currently upgrading another 5,500 centres across the country. These include infrastructural improvements and the provision of modern medical equipment to ensure they can deliver efficient and effective care,” the President said.

    He emphasised that the Renewed Hope Health Agenda was not merely a policy framework but a practical, people-driven intervention targeting grassroots healthcare delivery.

    Tinubu also disclosed that his administration is establishing six new cancer treatment centres across the country to address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases. Out of these, three have already been completed and are ready for operation.

    “Our cancer centres will enhance early detection, diagnosis, and treatment, giving Nigerians better chances of survival and improving quality of life,” he stated.

    Furthermore, he revealed that free dialysis services are now being provided at selected tertiary hospitals as part of the Federal Government’s renal care initiative. In addition, a subsidy programme has been launched to make dialysis more affordable for patients in other facilities.

    “Dialysis should not bankrupt families. It is our duty to ensure that patients receive lifesaving care without facing financial ruin. That is why we now provide free dialysis in pilot centres and subsidise it elsewhere,” the President added.

    In a bid to reduce maternal mortality rates, Tinubu announced that over 4,000 women have undergone caesarean sections free of charge under the Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health.

    “Every woman deserves the opportunity to give birth safely, and every child deserves a fighting chance at life. Through this initiative, we are making that a reality for thousands of families,” he declared.

    He described the programme as a practical expression of his administration’s resolve to safeguard the lives of women and children, especially in public hospitals.

    President Tinubu also pointed to a significant increase in national health insurance coverage, with the number of insured Nigerians growing from 16 million to 20 million in just two years.

    “This expansion in health insurance is critical for achieving universal health coverage. It protects families from catastrophic health spending and ensures access to essential services,” he said.

    Addressing the issue of health worker shortages in rural areas, Tinubu said his government had begun deploying skilled medical personnel to underserved regions to bridge gaps in human resources for health.

    “Access to healthcare must not depend on where you live or how much you earn. We are sending qualified professionals to the frontlines where they are needed most,” he noted.

    In tandem with these efforts, the President highlighted investments in public health surveillance and early warning systems to enhance the country’s preparedness for outbreaks and health emergencies.

    “In a world still reeling from the impact of COVID-19, we must stay ahead. Our public health infrastructure is being upgraded to detect and respond to threats swiftly and effectively,” he said.

    Tinubu stated that targeted social investment programmes had been rolled out to assist vulnerable Nigerians, ensuring they have access to basic healthcare and nutrition. These initiatives, he noted, are designed to prevent the poorest citizens from being excluded from the drive toward universal health coverage.

    “We are building a healthcare system that works for everyone, especially the most disadvantaged. No Nigerian should be left behind,” he said.

    On the broader economic landscape, Tinubu linked the country’s recent economic recovery to strategic reforms across various sectors, including health. He noted that Nigeria’s real GDP grew by 4.6% in Q4 2024, with an overall annual growth rate of 3.4% — the highest in nearly ten years.

    “A healthy population is the bedrock of a strong economy. By investing in the health of our people, we are laying the foundation for sustained economic growth,” Tinubu concluded.

    As he marked two years in office, President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and people-centred healthcare system that delivers tangible benefits to all Nigerians.

  • How Stanley Imoisili blends healthcare, tech, culture

    How Stanley Imoisili blends healthcare, tech, culture

    Stanley Imoisili isn’t your average doctor. While he began his career in optometry, his journey has expanded far beyond clinics and eye charts. From developing tech platforms and running a public relations firm to preserving African culture through commerce, Imoisili has quietly built a portfolio that cuts across ocular medicine, business, communication, and cultural advocacy.

    A graduate of the University of Benin, where he earned a Doctor of Optometry degree, Imoisili has spent the past four years practising in the healthcare space. His commitment to eye health is serious, but it’s matched by his desire to bring new ideas into traditional systems. In 2024, he was part of a conference for eye care professionals in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where discussions centred around improving patient experiences and modernising optometric practice.

    Yet long before that trip to the US, Imoisili had already been experimenting with different paths. More than a decade ago, he got into freelancing. He offered copywriting, PR, and content development services on global platforms, slowly building a name for himself. In 2017, he formalised those skills into a company, PR Parrots Ltd., a creative and public relations firm that has since worked with over 500 businesses, individuals, and projects. Many of those clients now run multi-million dollar operations across tech, real estate, and other sectors.

    But he didn’t stop at PR. In 2020, driven by a habit of building and testing new ideas, he founded Skydust Limited, a digital business that used marketing and mobile tools to find undervalued real estate deals for interested buyers. It grew quickly in the Nigerian market, thanks to his knack for identifying and solving problems. In his own words, “I don’t have to try too hard. The ideas come naturally. I’ve always known that I’d remain a creator no matter where my main work takes me.”

    By 2021, he shifted his focus again, this time towards the blockchain space. That year, he worked with dozens of startups, offering them everything from brand strategy to product positioning. Many of those partnerships can still be found listed on his PR Parrots website or within his professional LinkedIn network.

    In 2022, Stanley and a team of five collaborators launched Safeli.ng, a local ecommerce platform with escrow features to protect buyers and sellers. The next year, they rolled out the beta version of another product—Hire Safeli, a service-on-demand mobile app for Nigerians seeking verified professionals like plumbers, makeup artists, event planners, and more. The idea was simple: make it safer and easier for people to find help they can trust.

    Then came a moment of reflection in 2024. While on a walk through New York City’s Central Park, Imoisili started thinking deeply about the growing demand for African cultural products and experiences. That led to the creation of Afrogins, a business dedicated to showcasing and commercialising African products, traditions, and experiences. Whether it’s handcrafted items, unique services, or rich cultural experiences, Afrogins is designed to give African heritage the global spotlight it deserves.

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    Alongside all these ventures, Imoisili has never stopped writing. In secondary school, he wrote poems and short stories. That evolved into published books like The Hidden Treasures of Campus Life, Waves of Emotions, and Secrets of Millionaire Students. He still writes today, whether it’s articles, Quora responses, or ideas jotted in notebooks waiting to be finished. He admits he may never complete everything he starts, but the writing helps him stay grounded and expressive.

    In addition to his optometry degree, Stanley holds a product management certification from the University of Maryland in the United States. He’s also deeply passionate about communication and personal development. Many of his published works focus on building soft skills like effective speaking, self-awareness, and leadership traits he believes are essential no matter your profession.

    And while tech and innovation often define his present work, Imoisili hasn’t lost touch with his roots. He regularly hosts foreign visitors in Nigeria, introducing them to local customs, meals, languages, and music. For him, cultural exchange is personal. It’s about telling the right stories and helping outsiders see what makes Africa, and Nigeria in particular, so rich.

    From the exam room to the boardroom, from real estate tools to cultural showcases, Dr. Stanley Imoisili is proving that careers don’t have to follow a straight line. With a mix of curiosity, creativity, and quiet determination, he continues to build across sectors and borders—one thoughtful project at a time.

  • NAFDAC rejects VDM’s ₦.7m traders’ extortion claim 

    NAFDAC rejects VDM’s ₦.7m traders’ extortion claim 

    …alerts security agencies over possible Cybercrime law violation

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has firmly rejected claims made by social media influencer, Very Dark Man (VDM), accusing the agency of extortion in its regulatory enforcement at Onitsha Bridge Head Market. 

    In a rejoinder on Tuesday, the agency described VDM’s comments as inciting and potentially in violation of the Cybercrime Act, stating that it has reported the matter to relevant security agencies for investigation.

    VDM, in a widely circulated Instagram video surrounded by protesting traders, alleged that NAFDAC extorted ₦700,000 from the traders for a service they were unaware of. 

    He displayed a document he claimed was a receipt for the payment and threatened legal action. 

    In response, NAFDAC clarified that the penalties imposed on traders followed due process and were in line with gazetted federal regulations. 

    The agency explained that during recent enforcement operations in three open drug markets, all inspected shops, warehouses, and stores were found to be in violation of Good Storage and Distribution Practices. 

    More critically, none of the premises were registered with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), a clear breach of federal laws.

    Regarding the controversial fees, the agency disclosed that an investigative charge of ₦5 million was imposed on those selling unregistered products, which was later reduced to ₦200,000 after pleas. 

    Similarly, a ₦2 million charge for violating storage standards was reduced to ₦500,000. “These are Federal Government-gazetted charges and payments,” NAFDAC stated, dismissing allegations of theft as baseless and misleading.

    In a statement earlier on Monday, NAFDAC’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, had warned that VDM’s video amounted to incitement, potentially constituting a breach of the Cybercrime Act. 

    Read Also: NAFDAC warns against incitement by social media influencer VDM

    She emphasized that the influencer’s call for traders to defy regulatory action undermines the authority of NAFDAC and could endanger public health.

    “What this perpetrator has done is to openly tell his audience to defy the regulatory processes of NAFDAC,” Prof. Adeyeye said, noting that the enforcement was carried out under the authority of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

    Although the agency was initially silent on the specific ₦700,000 payment mentioned by VDM, it offered a detailed breakdown and justification for the charges on Tuesday, stressing that all actions were lawful and necessary to maintain drug safety standards.

    NAFDAC urged the public to disregard misinformation and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health through strict enforcement of regulatory standards, “NAFDAC is working firmly within the purview of her mandate”, the DG said.

    The agency said it would leave it to security and legal authorities to determine if the influencer’s actions violate any statutes under the Cybercrime Act.

    Reaffirming NAFDAC’s mission, the DG said, “We remain committed to ensuring that all medical products, medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and more used in Nigeria are of good quality, safe, and effective. 

    “These efforts are vital in reducing maternal and child mortality, improving life expectancy, and protecting citizens with chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes”.

  • FG ramps up efforts to strengthen eye health 

    FG ramps up efforts to strengthen eye health 

    The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving eye health outcomes in Nigeria through strengthened leadership, strategic collaboration, and sustained partnerships across all levels of healthcare delivery.

    This commitment was restated in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of the 4th National Eye Health Coordination Meeting, themed ‘Strengthening Leadership, Strategic Collaboration, Partnership, and Progress Towards Improved Eye Health Outcomes in Nigeria’. 

    The meeting brought together key stakeholders to assess progress, exchange innovations, and chart the path forward.

    Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that effective leadership is central to the success of public health programmes, including those targeting eye care. 

    He said visionary leadership helps set bold goals, mobilize resources, and drive reforms to ensure that critical eye care services reach underserved communities.

    He stressed that addressing the complexity of eye health challenges demands coordinated efforts involving government institutions, NGOs, private sector actors, healthcare professionals, and local communities. 

    “By working together, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to build a more efficient and impactful eye health system,” he said.

    The Director also underlined the value of sustained partnerships, describing them as the glue that holds sector-wide efforts together, from research collaborations to service delivery innovations and community-level engagement. 

    He added that future progress must be data-driven, adaptable, and inclusive of all population groups.

    He called for the integration of eye care into the broader primary healthcare system, strengthened professional capacity, expanded infrastructure, and improved community outreach.

    In addition, he urged policymakers to reinforce governance structures, enhance accountability, and prioritize eye health as a key element of national development.

    “The journey toward improved eye health in Nigeria requires collective action. With stronger leadership, strategic partnerships, and a shared vision, we can ensure every Nigerian has access to quality eye care and contribute to national and global health goals,” he noted.

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    The overarching goal remains to achieve universal access to quality eye care in Nigeria by 2030, in alignment with both national and global health targets.

    In her welcome remarks, Dr. Okolo Oteri, Director at the Federal Ministry of Health and National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP), described the meeting as a critical platform for consolidating past gains and addressing ongoing challenges in the sector. 

    She said the gathering offered an opportunity to build capacity, engage stakeholders, mobilize resources, and promote research, noting, “Our goal is to develop strategic approaches, adopt best practices, and apply innovative solutions that improve service delivery, policy implementation, and advocacy”.

    Pointing out that eye care should be integrated and patient-centred, reflecting the needs of Nigerians at every stage of life, she stressed, “The eye is one of the most valuable organs. When vision is lost, productivity declines, quality of life drops, and the nation’s economy suffers.”

    She highlighted the success of Jigibola 2.0—the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative, which has trained primary health workers in 15 states to provide basic eye care services in local health centers. 

    This effort, she noted, is bringing services closer to the rural population, where more than 70% of Nigerians live.

    “Before now, eye care was limited to secondary and tertiary hospitals. Rural dwellers had to travel long distances. But today, with trained primary health workers on the ground, help is much closer,” she said.

    Dr. Sambo Dawa, an eye health officer from Gombe State, shared how the programme’s partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative enabled the training of 12 senior eye care professionals, who then trained 231 health workers across 77 clinics. 

    “This has made eye care and referrals more accessible at the grassroots level,” he said.

    According to him, under the Jigibola programme, Gombe also received 36,000 reading glasses, 31,000 of which have already been distributed to people aged 40 and above. 

    “People who could no longer read can now read again. This has improved their quality of life,” Dr. Dawa added, encouraging other states to make full use of available training and resources.

    Participants are expected to return to their states to assess progress, identify gaps, and implement strategies that include better planning, stronger data systems, infrastructure development, and workforce expansion.

  • Children’s Day: NACA demands caregivers’ commitment to HIV-free generation

    Children’s Day: NACA demands caregivers’ commitment to HIV-free generation

    The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has called on all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding the health and future of Nigerian children by strengthening efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

    In a message commemorating this year’s Children’s Day, NACA Director General, Dr. Temitope Ilori, emphasized that every child deserves a healthy start to life, free from HIV. 

    To achieve this, the DG said it is incumbent on healthcare providers to ensure quality, respectful care for women and children.

    She also urged healthcare workers to provide quality, respectful care to women and children, while calling on community and faith-based organizations to intensify awareness campaigns and combat stigma.

    In addition, families and caregivers were urged to support women to access and adhere to treatment.

    She noted that the call has become necessary because, despite significant progress, thousands of children in Nigeria are still born with HIV each year, a tragedy that is entirely preventable.

    In her Children’s Day message on Tuesday, Ilori, however, stressed that Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services remains one of the most effective strategies in ending pediatric HIV and ensuring that no child is born with the virus.

    “Children’s Day is a reminder that we must do everything within our power to protect the next generation. 

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    “This includes ensuring that every pregnant woman has access to early testing, and if positive, is put on treatment, and continuous care throughout pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding,” she said.

    While acknowledging the strides Nigeria has made in expanding PMTCT coverage, Ilori noted that critical gaps still exist, many of which are worsened by stigma and discrimination that deter women from seeking care.

    “An HIV-free generation is possible, but only if we act with urgency and compassion.

    Together, let’s celebrate our children by protecting their right to be born free of HIV,” Ilori added.

  • MHWUN demands implementation of CONHESS salary structure for Enugu workers

    MHWUN demands implementation of CONHESS salary structure for Enugu workers

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has called on Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to address and consider all the irregularities concerning the payment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) salary structure.

    The CONHESS is a salary scale for healthcare professionals in Nigeria, including nurses, pharmacists, and other medical professionals.

    The Secretary General of MHWUN, Comrade Auwal Yusuf Kiyawa made the call in an interview with newsmen at the occasion of the National Women Leadership Development Workshop, Southeast Zone held at the Arbovirus and Research Centre in Enugu.

    According to Comrade Kiyawa, “There is utmost need for the governor to consider the payment of CONHESS salary structure to those that have not been paid

    “If you go to other states, i think they have fully implemented and are paying the CONHESS salary structure and I’m very much sure his Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah would not want to be in isolation having been someone who has a reputation of paying salaries as at when due.” Kiyawa stated

    The Secretary General also used the opportunity to thank and appreciate Governor Mbah for giving a positive atmosphere to ensure a peaceful workshop.

    “I think the event of today is very encouraging, motivating, and lovely as it is a part of the policy of our union to always have a national workshop at least twice a year for our women.” Kiyawa stated.

    The National President of the union, Kabiru Ado Sani emphasized the importance of building women’s capacity to thrive in leadership roles just as he acknowledged the challenges faced by women in the workplace, including discrimination, gender-based violence, and the need for re-skilling and up-skilling in response to changing work environments.

    “To address these challenges, the Union is committed to building advocacy around issues of gender equality and equity, social justice, and just transition.” Sani said

    Laying more emphasis on what the Secretary General said, Chairman, MHWUN Enugu State Council, Mrs. Nnenna Juliet Oriedu, stated that two of the three unions that make up the Joint Joint Sector Union and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU) umbrella, only the health workers, the core medical and health workers namely, the porters, partisan, the health attendants are yet to be paid CONHESS

    “The nurses and the medical lab technicians have been paid. We have our members drawn from the ESUT Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Ministry of Health, Polly Clinic, most of them are in state management board

    “We have others in the veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture. They are all health workers. Till today, we are still expectant

    “We are hoping that the governor in his magnanimity will pay our workers as others received theirs in August last year. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander, ” Oriedu stated.

    On the workshop, themed “Empowered to Lead: Advancing Women Skills in Trade Union Leadership toward Just Transition in Health Sector,” is aimed to build women’s leadership skills and promote their participation in nation-building

    Oriedu also made an appeal to Governor Peter Mbah. “I wish to use this opportunity to specially appeal to our amiable governor, who has demonstrated leadership in massive infrastructural development in Enugu to support the Enugu State Council of the union with a plot of land and bus to enable us build our permanent secretariat render services to our members swiftly.” Oriedu said.

    The workshop is part of the union’s initiative to develop women’s leadership skills, which started in 2008. The event which brought together women leaders from various unions to share experiences and gain skills to excel in leadership positions, also aims to provide a platform for women to develop their leadership skills and contribute to the union’s agenda for gender mainstreaming, which has been ongoing since 2003.

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    Meanwhile, the National Chairperson of the Union emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in achieving a just transition in the health sector.

    She called on State Chairmen and union leaders to deepen their commitment to gender inclusion, actively involving women in union activities, leadership development, and decision-making processes.

    She emphasized that women’s participation is critical to achieving a just transition in the health sector and urged participants to remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, equity, and dignity for all health workers.

  • AHF Nigeria joins calls for period equity on Menstrual Health Day

    AHF Nigeria joins calls for period equity on Menstrual Health Day

    The largest global AIDS organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Nigeria, in commemoration of the annual Menstrual Health Day, is set to hold an awareness event at WAPI Secondary School, Calabar, and Cross River state and in Karinmajigi community in Abuja, on May 28, 2025.

    This is aimed at addressing the stigma, cultural taboos, and lack of menstrual hygiene access that undermine dignity and increase HIV risk among women and girls.

    Menstrual Health Day is observed annually on May 28.

    In a statement, it said, “Globally, women and girls, particularly in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, face a disproportionate HIV burden.

    “The lack of access to sanitary pads forces many to miss school, increasing the likelihood of dropping out.

    “This often leads to increased transactional or transgenerational sex, limiting their ability to negotiate safer sex and raising the risk of acquiring HIV.

    “AHF’s Menstrual Health Day worldwide commemorations are part of broader strategic prevention efforts that highlight the link between menstrual health and HIV, promote the availability and accessibility of menstrual products, and integrate sexual and reproductive health information and services—ensuring women and girls/ people who menstruate have access to sanitary pads, HIV testing, condoms, and essential care.

    “This year, AHF Nigeria will empower young women and girls, both in-school and out-of-school, with the information and knowledge they require for a safe menstrual experience.

    “Importantly, we shall provide free sanitary pads, both disposable and reusable to young girls in Calabar, Abuja and Makurdi while calling on the government to invest in providing free sanitary pads to young girls, across Nigeria, especially indigent girls who lack access to sanitary pads.

    AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, said: “AHF Nigeria is committed to ending period poverty in Nigeria with consistent investment in initiatives that bridges the knowledge gap of menstrual health management in young women and girls and in combating the myths, stigma and cultural taboos undermining the wellbeing of young women and girls.

    “To this end, we will continue to expand access to accurate information and the provision of free sanitary pads to complement the efforts of other concerned stakeholders.”

    “Nearly 2 billion people menstruate globally, yet 500 million will experience period poverty, including the lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities, and accepting communities.”

  • Over 100 Ile-Ife residents get free medical treatment

    Over 100 Ile-Ife residents get free medical treatment

    No fewer than 100 residents of Ile-Ife, Osun State, have benefited from a medical outreach organised by the Femi Olutoye Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

    The outreach, which included medical screenings including vital signs check, malaria tests, diabetes/sugar and hepatitis B tests among others was held at the Ooni of Ife’s palace on Wednesday. 

    Addressing newsmen at the event, the foundation manager, Dr. Sidiq Taofeeq, emphasised the importance of good health and the need to ensure regular checks.

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    He explained: “The founder of this outreach has histories of providing free health care to the community, we have held different outreaches in the past and now we are here in Ile-Ife to provide same service for the people freely.

    “At first we targeted the staffs and people in the palace alone but eventually we are not just limiting to members of the palace but the residents of the community number over 100.

    “We will be screening beneficiaries of the outreach for vital signs, malaria tests, diabetes/sugar, and hypertitis B tests and at the same time provide them with drugs.”

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who was represented by the Sooko Omoniyi Ile-Ife, Dr. Kemade Elugbaju, lauded the founder of the foundation, urging other well meaning Nigerians to adopt the gesture. 

    His words: “This initiative is excellent, and the Femi Olutoye Foundation deserves commendation. Other well-meaning Nigerians should follow suit.

    “I urge beneficiaries of this event to utilize this opportunity, they should make sure they use the drugs given to them and not because they didn’t pay for them, abandon them at home.”

  • Saudi Arabia provides free eye care to 4,000 Lagos residents

    Saudi Arabia provides free eye care to 4,000 Lagos residents

    The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), backed by the Saudi Arabian Government, is offering free eye care to 4,000 Lagos residents as part of its global health initiative.

    Launched on May 20 at Gbagada General Hospital and set to end on May 27, the programme includes eye screenings, cataract surgeries with intraocular lens implants, treatment for refractive errors, and prescription eyeglasses.

    Read Also: Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief launches free eye care mission in Lagos

    Mohammed Alsahabi, Saudi Arabia’s press attaché in Nigeria, stated that the mission, directed by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting underserved communities worldwide.

  • Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief launches free eye care mission in Lagos

    Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief launches free eye care mission in Lagos

    The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has extended its free eye care outreach, “Saudi Noor Ophthalmic,” to Lagos State. The programme is currently underway at Gbagada General Hospital from May 20 to 27, 2025, offering comprehensive eye care services at no cost to the public.

    In a statement issued by Saudi Arabia’s Press Attaché in Nigeria, Mohammed Alsahabi, beneficiaries will receive a range of services including diagnostic eye screenings, cataract surgeries with intraocular lens (IOL) implants, correction of refractive errors, and free prescription eyeglasses.

    Alsahabi described the outreach as a major step in Saudi Arabia’s continued support for preventive eye care in Nigeria.

    “This initiative is executed under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” he said.

    Since the launch of its blindness prevention campaign in Nigeria in 2019, KSrelief has carried out over 218,000 eye examinations, restored sight to more than 21,000 patients through surgery, and distributed over 45,000 eyeglasses. The programme has previously been implemented in Yobe, Kano, and Bauchi states.

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    Bringing the initiative to Lagos marks an important recognition of the healthcare gaps in urban centres and the need to address eye health challenges in densely populated areas.

    Globally, KSrelief has carried out more than 3,400 humanitarian projects in over 107 countries since its establishment in 2015. Its blindness prevention campaign continues to operate in countries like Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Mauritania.

    This latest outreach in Lagos underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian aid and its strong bilateral ties with Nigeria in the fight against preventable blindness.