Federal Govt Targets 25,000 Nigerians For Free Cataract Surgery

The federal government has revealed plans to commence free cataract surgery for 25,000 Nigerians by late October or early November 2026 under its Renewed Hope Health Connect initiative, aimed at expanding access to healthcare for vulnerable citizens.

The minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the opening of the 49th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and the African Council of Optometry (AFCO) Annual General Meeting.

Salako said funds had been earmarked for the programme in the 2025 and 2026 federal budgets to bring essential healthcare services closer to Nigerians who cannot afford them.

He said the initiative would provide free eye care services, including cataract surgeries, to 25,000 beneficiaries across the country. In the 2025 and 2026 budgets of the Federal Government of Nigeria, funds have been allocated under the Renewed Hope Health Connect. As part of that initiative, we are going to be providing eye care services, including free cataract surgeries for 25,000 people across the country,” he said.

The minister said the implementation process is already underway and is expected to commence by late October or early November this year.

He stressed that avoidable visual impairment remained a major public health challenge, depriving millions of Nigerians of productivity, independence and dignity.

The minister noted that investing in eye care yields significant economic benefits, citing studies showing that every one dollar invested in eye care generates between 28 and 36 dollars in returns through improved productivity, better quality of life and reduced healthcare costs.

Also speaking, President of the African Council of Optometry, Dr Remi Ninkre, called for harmonised standards in optometry education and practice across Africa to strengthen workforce mobility and improve eye health services on the continent.

Speaking on the conference theme, “Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity,” Ninkre said that Africa’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than a barrier to advancing eye health.

He noted that optometry in Africa had evolved significantly over the past few decades, moving from a profession with limited recognition and training opportunities to one that now plays a leading role in diabetic retinopathy screening, school eye health, low-vision care, and community eye health programmes. “The modern African optometrist has moved beyond refraction to prevention, early detection and management across the life course,” he said.

Ninkre stressed that the next phase of the profession’s growth requires a harmonised framework for optometry practice across the continent, warning that differences in curriculum, competencies and scope of practice continue to limit workforce mobility and slow progress.

He also appealed to development partners, non-governmental organisations, philanthropic organisations, and the private sector to invest in faculty development, clinical infrastructure, digital learning platforms, and African-led research on eye diseases such as myopia, glaucoma, and diabetic eye disease.

In his welcome address, President of the Nigerian Optometric Association, Dr Chimeziri Anderson, described the conference as a celebration of Africa’s shared commitment to advancing eye care and strengthening the optometry profession.

He said collaboration among African countries was essential to harmonise professional standards, strengthen education and research, embrace emerging technologies and promote evidence-based practice.

According to Anderson, such collaboration would help eliminate avoidable visual impairment and contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The future of optometry in Africa depends on our willingness to work together. Together, we can transform eye health delivery and ensure every African has access to quality, affordable and equitable eye care,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigerian Optometric Association, FCT Chapter, Dr Njezi Chinedu John Kennedy, urged participants to use the conference to challenge conventional thinking, forge lasting collaborations and exchange innovative ideas that would strengthen comprehensive eye care across Africa.