NEDC, Foundation Provide Eye Care For Over 1,000 In Taraba

The North East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, has provided eye care services to 1,087 residents of Sardauna local government area of Taraba State.

The team of medics arrived on February 23, 2025 for the final lap of the NEDC eye care medical outreach in Taraba State which took place from February 24-26.

The initiative brought the much-needed eye care services to the 1,087 residents suffering from various eye-related conditions and 120 patients for cataract and pterygium surgeries.

The initiative was aimed at addressing the growing cases of preventable blindness and vision impairment in underserved communities. During the three-day exercise, beneficiaries received comprehensive eye screenings, free prescription glasses, eye medications and surgical interventions for cataract and pterygium.

At the closing ceremony in Sardauna, an official from NEDC, Ali Mohammed Tonga expressed the commission’s commitment to improving healthcare access in the North East, particularly in rural communities.

“Good vision is essential for productivity and quality of life.  Through this collaboration with Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation, we have been able to restore hope to many who had limited access to proper eye care,” he said.

The director of Kolmarg, Prof Olukorede Adenuga, appreciated the NEDC for its support, noting that the foundation remains dedicated to providing sustainable eye health solutions in Nigeria. “We have witnessed firsthand the impact of this outreach. Many people who have struggled with impaired vision for years can now see clearly, and this is life-changing for them and their families,” he stated.

Some beneficiaries including James Gabriel and Amina Abubakar expressed immense gratitude to the NEDC and Kolmarg Eyesight Foundation for their compassionate efforts.

The success of this initiative highlights the power of partnerships in addressing healthcare challenges and improving lives.