The Christian Blind Mission (CBM) says it has invested 15million Euros (N25 billion) to strengthen eye care services across 14 states in Nigeria.
Dr Rainer Brockhaus, the CBM Chief Executive Officer, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of CBM SightQuest Nigeria Programme, with theme “A Journey Towards Inclusive Eye Health.”
Ashenews gathered through NAN reports that the SightQuest Programme will run from January 2026 to 2035 across Bauchi, Imo, Jigawa, Plateau, Oyo and nine other states nationwide.
The initiative also targets a 30 per cent increase in effective Cataract Surgical Coverage in 10 states by 2030.
Speaking on the programme, Brockhaus said CBM was targeting preventable blindness through cataract surgeries, refractive error services and expanded access for vulnerable communities.
He said CBM, over a century, had worked to improve the quality of life for People with Disabilities (PWDs) in the world’s most underserved communities.
According to him, the NGO has also been active in Nigeria for the past 57 years.
“We are proud to partner with the government of Nigeria to strengthen inclusive health systems and deliver vital services.
“The collaboration is built on mutual respect, shared purpose, and a commitment to sustainable impact,” he said.
Brockhaus said the partnership had reached an important milestone with the launch of SightQuest Nigeria, a 10-year initiative, to reduce avoidable blindness and to address refractive errors.
“These are two critical public health challenges affecting millions of Nigerians.
“The SightQuest programme is an integrated and comprehensive initiative to achieve lasting, and long-term result for people in need.
“The programme will deliver measurable results that can reduce the burden of blindness in target states,” he said.
The CBM boss said that the goal was to help visually impaired children in schools, farmers and elderly people to regain their dignity, and their independence to learn, work, and thrive.
He said CBM was ready to mobilise more funds and resources for the project from donors interested in the programme to create more leverage and impact.
Brockhaus commended the Nigerian government, state ministries of health, professional associations, international organisations, and communities for their support.
He called for stronger, sustainable systems that would endure beyond the 10-year programme.
The President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, said that Nigeria is a nation of immense potentials, but lack the courage to face uncomfortable truths for the welfare of its citizens.
Represented by Dr Ipalibo Harry-Bamigo, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Akpabio said that the SightQuest programme goes beyond a health initiative.
“Too many of our citizens are left behind not because their conditions are unbearable, but because our systems fail to respond.
“Aborting blindness and visual impairment remain among the quiet injustices of our time.
“Blindness inflicts life-long consequences on individuals, families and communities, especially our oldest employers and municipal workers,” he said.
Akpabio lauded CBM for the initiative aimed at restoring dignity and humanity to Nigerians.
He noted that a 10-year mission demonstrates patience, commitment, and faith in Nigeria’s development potential.
Dr Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, described visual impairment as a global health crisis that undermines productivity and national growth.
He affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to preventing avoidable vision loss, revealing plans to provide free cataract surgeries for 25,000 Nigerians by the end of 2026.
Mr Samuel Omoi, CBM Country Director, urged government, partners and associations to support the 10-year programme to achieve its goal of eliminating blindness for millions of Nigerians in targeted states.
