Pulse.ng : Sightsavers launches ‘SeeClear’ eye health programme in Kaduna

By Aisha Gambo

An NGO, ,Sightsavers International on Wednesday launched the ‘SeeClear Nigeria Inclusive Eye Health Programme’ in Kaduna and Sokoto States as well as Zamfara and Plateau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme is aimed at preventing and fighting blindness in the states.

The inaugural meeting for the programme, which had in attendance stakeholders from the federal and states’ Ministries of Health, tertiary institutions and NGOs, was held in Kaduna.

The Country Director of the organisation, Dr Joy Shu’aibu, stated that the programme would run from 2025 to 2027.

According to her, it is aimed at providing equitable and inclusive eye health services to the communities that deserve the services.

“And what we are going to put forward is ensuring that we are providing eye care services closest to the people at minimal cost to those people who require it.

” We will be doing advocacy to the government to make sure that budget lines and policies are put in place.

“This is to ensure that when this funding is depleted,these structures will stand and people will continue to benefit from this programme,” she said.

Shuaibu stated that the programme was also aimed at reducing avoidable vision impairment and providing accessible and affordable eye health services for everyone including people with disability,women and children.

She explained that Sightsavers, alongside its partners would utilise technology to ensure that eye care services were efficient while also considering climate change and climate actions.

Shuaibu added that intentional mentoring of health workers on eye health as well as specialist training for Paediatric Ophthalmologists and Optometrists Nurses was part of the programme to build paediatric-oriented eye care teams.

While speaking, the Commissioners for Health of the four pilot states reiterated their commitment to ensuring effective eye care services in their states.

The Zamfara commissioner for health, Dr Nafisa Muhammad -Maradun, who was represented by Yusuf Abubakar, Director, Public Health, stated that the project would be impactful to the people of the state.

She explained that the state has a dedicated budget for eye care and was ready to collaborate with Sightsavers to prevent blindness and improve eye health.

Similarly, Plateau commissioner for health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, stated the state would give Sightsavers the necessary support to ensure the success of the programme and would also work towards sustaining the programme.

The representative of the Eye Health Care Committee in the North-West, Abdulkadir Lawal , applauded Sightsavers for the initiative.

He stressed that the SeeClear project would reach grassroots communities where many people were unaware of such services.(NAN)