…National Eye Health Coordination Meeting Sets Stage for Visionary Leadership, Inclusive Partnerships, and Transformative Action
Abuja, Nigeria – In a powerful display of national unity and shared vision, the Federal Government has called on stakeholders across health, development, and civil society sectors to join forces in delivering quality, inclusive, and sustainable eye care services to all Nigerians—no matter where they live or what their means are.
This renewed push came during the 4th National Eye Health Coordination Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare through its National Eye Health Programme (NEHP). The meeting brought together representatives from all 36 states, development partners, desk officers, eye health experts, civil society actors, and donor agencies in a groundbreaking effort to refocus national attention on eye health.
In his keynote address titled “Strengthening Leadership, Strategic Collaboration, Partnership, and Progress Towards Improved Eye Health Outcomes in Nigeria,” Dr. Paul Ntadom, Director of Public Health, made an urgent appeal for strong and visionary leadership as the anchor for an effective eye health system.
“Leadership is not about position—it’s about vision, action, and impact,” Dr. Ntadom asserted. “To ensure equitable access to eye care, we must embed eye health into the broader health system, galvanize resources, and build partnerships that reach even the farthest communities.”
Dr. Ntadom noted that the country’s ability to measure progress in eye health must go beyond policy documents and programs to actual outcomes—access to services, trained health workers, empowered communities, and lives improved.
“Our measurement of success should be rooted in the real experiences of people—especially those in underserved and rural areas. Eye care must no longer be a privilege, but a basic health right,” he emphasized.
“This Is Not Just a Meeting—It’s a Movement” – NEHP Boss
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Dr. Okolo Oteri, Director and National Coordinator of the NEHP, welcomed delegates and partners, urging them to view the gathering as a turning point in Nigeria’s eye health journey.
“This is not just a coordination meeting—it is a movement for change,” Dr. Oteri said. “We are building an eye health system that is inclusive, patient-centered, and available at every stage of life—from childhood through old age.”
She noted that the Ministry’s long-term strategy includes integrating eye care services into all levels of healthcare delivery—primary, secondary, and tertiary—while scaling innovations and ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind.
“Our focus remains on people—ordinary Nigerians—who deserve access to quality eye care regardless of where they live or their financial status. We will continue to lead, collaborate, and innovate until this vision is reality,” she affirmed.
Global Partners Commend Nigeria’s Eye Health Commitment
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the endorsement and encouragement from international development partners, especially Sightsavers, which has been a trusted ally in Nigeria’s battle against preventable blindness for over 70 years.
Representing the organization, Dr. Joshua Ibenu praised Nigeria’s evolving efforts to institutionalize eye care and align with global standards such as the World Health Organization’s Integrated People-Centered Eye Care (IPEC).
“We envision a world where no one is needlessly blind. Nigeria is showing promising signs with strong government ownership, private sector inclusion, and a more coordinated approach to eye health,” Dr. Ibenu remarked.
He pointed out that the integration of ear and other sensory health with eye health in program design shows the government’s commitment to holistic healthcare.
“While there’s still work to be done, the foundation is solid, and the momentum is growing. Collaboration is now deeper and more inclusive than ever,” he added.
Gombe State: A Model of Transformation
The real impact of the National Eye Health Programme came to life through moving testimonies from state officials. A standout was Dr. Sam Bodawa, Eye Health Desk Officer in Gombe State, who shared an inspiring story of revival.
“Before the intervention of the NEHP, eye care in Gombe was nearly invisible,” he said. “Now, we’ve trained 231 primary healthcare workers across 77 health facilities. These workers are delivering basic eye care—even in rural villages where there were once no services at all.”
Dr. Bodawa also highlighted successes in specialized training programs on diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and the state’s adoption of the “Jiggy Bola” initiative—an effort that has distributed over 31,000 reading glasses to restore near vision for adults aged 40 and above.
“What we’ve achieved in Gombe is proof that when there is political will and technical support, lives can be changed. People who had lost hope are now reading, working, and living with dignity,” he concluded.
Charting the Path Forward
The 4th National Eye Health Coordination Meeting signals more than policy dialogues—it marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s journey to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and better population health.
With concrete action points emerging—such as the need for improved data collection, community education, scale-up of state-level implementation, and policy integration—stakeholders left the meeting with a clear direction and sense of purpose.
The consensus? Collaboration is no longer optional—it is essential.
From national policymakers to rural health officers, from international donors to grassroots community workers, the meeting reinforced the understanding that sustainable eye health is a shared responsibility—and one that Nigeria is now poised to shoulder with renewed resolve.
“We are not just restoring sight—we are restoring futures,” Dr. Oteri concluded with passion and hope.
As the curtains closed on the coordination meeting, participants left with a collective sense of purpose—determined to ensure that every Nigerian, from Sokoto to Calabar, from the cities to the creeks, can see a future full of possibilities.
