Kogi State Commits to Sustaining Eye Care Programme
The Kogi State Government has pledged to ensure the timely release of the Blindness Prevention Fund as part of its commitment to providing quality eye care services to its residents. This commitment was reaffirmed by Governor Usman Ododo, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adeiza, during the ceremony marking the conclusion of the Sightsavers Kogi State Eye Care Programme project in Abuja.
Governor Ododo emphasized that his administration would not only ensure the timely release of the blindness prevention budget but also maintain the eye care Hilux vehicle donated by the International Society of the Blind to support the logistics of the eye care programme team. He expressed gratitude to Sightsavers International for their support, which included the establishment of comprehensive eye care centres, training of health workers, and provision of necessary equipment and resources.
Dr. Joy Shu’aibu, the Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, highlighted the establishment of the state’s eye care committee, which will help sustain the gains of the three-year partnership. She noted the significant impact of the programme, which included examining an average of 14,000 people, dispensing approximately 8,000 spectacles, and performing numerous life-changing cataract surgeries.
Sightsavers’ Senior Programme Manager for Eye Health, Selben Penzin, outlined the investments made in controlling avoidable blindness in Kogi State, reinforcing the project’s success and the state’s commitment to continuing these efforts.
