Reported by: Ijeoma .G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Orile Agege General Hospital (OAGH), in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Attom Foundation, recently conducted free eye screenings and cataract surgeries for more than 200 residents of Olusosun Community, Ojota. The screening took place on September 29, 2025, at Philips Junction, while surgeries for eligible patients were carried out at OAGH on September 30 and October 1.
Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Director of the Blindness Prevention Unit at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, explained that the initiative aimed to promote preventive eye care at the grassroots level. She noted that poor eyesight among children can lead to misjudgments regarding their academic abilities, which is why children in the community were included in the programme. The initiative is part of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus agenda and is scheduled to be implemented across the state’s five administrative divisions.
The programme provided participants with eye examinations, medications, free glasses, and cataract surgeries. Dr. Oluyemi Taiwo, MD/CEO of OAGH, stated that medical personnel, including surgeons, optometrists, and ophthalmic nurses, were available for the surgeries and follow-up care. The hospital coordinated with other state public hospitals to ensure patients received comprehensive support based on their residential local government areas.
Beneficiaries highlighted the immediate impact of the programme. Mr. Waheed Adeniyi, 67, who had struggled with vision problems for over six months, said the surgery restored his ability to see clearly. Another participant, Alhaji Oloriegbe Abdullahi, 57, a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Defence, reported that the government-led programme allowed him to access surgery he could not afford privately and praised the process for being well-organized.
Nigeria faces significant challenges in eye health, including preventable blindness due to untreated cataracts and limited access to affordable care. Government and non-governmental outreach programmes such as this are essential in addressing gaps in health services, particularly in urban and underserved communities. Health experts stress that regular screenings, timely surgical interventions, and access to corrective devices are crucial in reducing the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the country.
The Lagos State Ministry of Health confirmed that similar outreach initiatives will continue in other divisions, aiming to improve eye health, raise awareness, and ensure that residents have access to affordable and timely treatment.
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