Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Abia State Government has unveiled plans to launch a comprehensive school-based eye health programme aimed at reaching over 500,000 students and teachers across the state.
The government also announced plans to establish a specialized low-vision care unit to support individuals with visual impairments.
This was disclosed by the Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr. (Mrs.) Betty Emeka-Obasi, during a symposium in Umuahia to mark the 2025 World Sight Day.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Prioritizing Eye Health: A Collective Approach,” Dr. Emeka-Obasi urged residents to take advantage of functional eye clinics across the state to regularly check their vision status.
She identified glaucoma as the leading cause of irreversible blindness but noted that it could be effectively managed with early detection and proper medication.
Dr. Emeka-Obasi lamented that many people still attribute eye challenges to superstition or spiritual attacks rather than seeking professional medical help.
The Bureau, according to her, has been committed to building a robust and sustainable eye care system across Abia State since its establishment in July 2024.
Commending Governor Alex Otti for his unwavering support, she said:
“Our vision is to ensure that every resident enjoys affordable and standardized eye care services, tackling avoidable blindness and promoting lifelong visual well-being.”
She further disclosed that the Bureau had upgraded the tertiary eye clinic at the Abia State Specialist Hospital, Umuahia, and established three new eye centres at the General Hospital, Amachara; Sustainable Development Hospital, Ugwunagbo; and Aba General Hospital.
According to her, the Bureau, in collaboration with partners, has so far provided over 11,000 free eye screenings and performed 2,000 surgeries, including cataract operations, across urban and rural communities.
She also revealed that vision centres had been integrated into Primary Health Centres (PHCs), with ten already approved and four fully operational, to enhance grassroots access to eye care services.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Ogbonnaya Uche, announced a ban on unauthorized free medical outreaches in the state following a recent incident in Abiriba community that reportedly led to loss of lives.
He stated that henceforth, all free medical missions must be held only in government-approved health facilities and with prior authorization from the Ministry of Health.
“Nobody is permitted to carry out any free medical outreach outside a hospital or without the Ministry’s permission,” he said.
“Such unregulated activities often lead to the distribution of fake or harmful medical products.”
The Commissioner also declared a ban on the media promotion of medical products without prior validation of their efficacy by the Ministry, emphasizing that unverified claims had misled many unsuspecting members of the public.
He revealed that the Director of Medical Services had been directed to notify media organizations to desist from airing such adverts or jingles unless duly approved by the Ministry.
“Previous governments did not regulate claims of efficacy in herbal or alternative medicines. This administration is determined to change that by ensuring that people receive only proper, evidence-based healthcare,” he added.
Professor Uche warned that the government would not hesitate to take action against individuals or organizations spreading misinformation about unverified medical products, stressing that fake or substandard items had caused serious health complications and even deaths.
He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to reject unverified health practitioners and promptly report unauthorized medical activities in their areas to the authorities.
“Do not allow anything that endangers the health of your people. Always notify us when you notice any suspicious medical outreach,” he advised.
The Commissioner further emphasized the importance of regular eye checks, recommending that residents undergo comprehensive eye examinations at least once a year.
He expressed concern over the high prevalence of eye-related diseases in Nigeria, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that nine out of every 100 adults above 50 years in Nigeria suffer from blindness.
“Among children and adults, the prevalence of blindness ranges between 0.2% and 0.4%, translating to about 400,000 children nationwide — an alarming figure that requires urgent, collective action,” he warned.
The symposium, which featured lectures and interactive sessions, had in attendance traditional rulers, mayors, school representatives, and medical professionals.
