Sightsavers International says more than 4.24 million Nigerians are affected by blindness or visual impairment, mostly from preventable or treatable conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and uncorrected refractive errors.
The organization’s Advocacy Coordinator, Ms. Esther Bature, who represented the Country Director, Prof. Joy Shuaibu, disclosed this on Tuesday in Kano.
She spoke during Day 2 of a workshop for journalists from North-West Nigeria, aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and Sightsavers on health, disability inclusion, and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
Bature noted that access to quality eye care remained poor in Nigeria, with only 4.4 per cent of citizens accessing eye health services compared to 38 per cent in middle-income countries.
She explained that Sightsavers, established in 1950, had maintained over five decades of presence in Nigeria, promoting healthcare, education, and inclusion for persons with disabilities.
Bature urged government and stakeholders to raise awareness and increase investment in eye health through what she described as the “4Ps Approach” — Preserve, Prioritize, Prevent, and Protect.
She also emphasized the need to bridge gaps between tertiary institutions and rural communities while advocating inclusive policies that benefit women, children, and persons with disabilities.
Sightsavers reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national initiatives that prioritize disability inclusion and eye health across the country.
