The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has reiterated its commitment to preventing avoidable blindness and improving access to quality eye care services across Nigeria through the integration of Primary Eye Care (PEC) into the nation’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated this in Abuja, during the commemoration of the 2025 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes.”
Represented by Dr. Jimoh Olawale Salaudeen, mni, Director of Hospital Services Department in the Ministry, said the initiative aims to make eye care accessible to millions of Nigerians, particularly those in underserved and rural communities.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s National Eye Health Policy (2019) and the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan (2023–2027) provide the framework for scaling up eye care delivery and strengthening the nation’s health system toward universal coverage.
According to Salako, to ensure widespread impact, the ministry has trained 12 master trainers across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to further train state-level personnel on the integration of PEC into PHC. Data collection and reporting tools for PHC facilities have also been developed to enhance monitoring and evaluation.
The minister explained that this integration would empower primary health care workers to manage simple eye conditions and refer complex cases appropriately, thereby improving early diagnosis and reducing avoidable vision loss.
In her welcome address, Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom represented by Dr. Oteri Okolo Eme National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme NESHP, urged Nigerians to embrace regular eye check-ups and early detection of eye diseases.
She emphasized that eye health is not only a medical concern but also central to achieving universal health coverage and driving national development.
In her presentation titled “Celebrating the Impact of Partnerships in Putting Patients at the Heart of Eye Health,” Dr. Oteri Okolo Eme, National Coordinator NESHP, highlighted the country’s journey and progress in advancing eye health, describing it as a steady climb “up a mountain once shrouded in mist.”
Dr. Eme likened Nigeria’s eye health progress to a determined expedition, one that has endured challenges of limited resources and data gaps but continues to gain momentum through collaboration and innovation.
