The Lagos State government, in partnership with the Attom Foundation, has flagged off a 3-day free eye screening and cataract surgery programme targeting over 1,000 residents.
The initiative, coordinated by the Blindness Prevention Programme Unit of the Ministry of Health, is expected to restore sight, dignity, and hope to residents across the state. It is taking place at Philip Junction, Olusosun, Ojota, with surgeries scheduled at Orile Agege General Hospital.
Wife of the Permanent Secretary of Lagos Health District IV, Dr Modupe Bowale, who represented the wife of Lagos State governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described the programme as life-changing, noting that eyesight remains one of the greatest gifts of humanity.
She emphasised that millions globally, including Nigerians, live with preventable blindness and visual impairment, a situation the intervention seeks to address.
Sanwo-Olu’s wife lauded the Attom Foundation and Aide à l’aide Foundation for their compassion and commitment to tackling avoidable blindness.
She stressed that the initiative goes beyond restoring sight to restoring productivity, independence, and hope to affected families.
Encouraging residents to maximise the opportunity, she underscored the importance of early detection and regular eye checks, urging people not to ignore minor symptoms.
Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, in her remarks, expressed delight at the turnout and clarified that all services, including glasses and surgeries, are completely free.
She said the initiative demonstrates the state government’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to all residents, regardless of economic status.