In a significant intervention that is being hailed as both timely and life-changing, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation, in collaboration with the Abia State Government, has successfully concluded a week-long cataract surgery outreach in the state, restoring sight to over 1,000 residents. The medical initiative, which focused on tackling one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in Nigeria, marks a milestone in efforts to expand access to quality eye care across underserved communities.
The programme officially kicked off with a state-wide sensitisation campaign on April 6 and transitioned into full surgical operations by April 9. Surgeries were conducted at three key health facilities: Abia Specialist Hospital and Madonna Catholic Hospital in Umuahia, and General Hospital in Aba. Ahead of the operations, a thorough screening phase ran from March 31 to April 5, during which 2,116 individuals with visual impairments were examined. Of this number, 1,339 were screened in Aba alone, with 477 patients ultimately booked for surgery following clinical evaluations.
Medical findings from the outreach reiterated the gravity of cataract-related blindness globally, which accounts for nearly 50 million cases worldwide and approximately 43% of all blindness cases in Nigeria. In a particularly poignant revelation, three children under the age of ten—each suffering from congenital blindness and unrelated by blood—were identified for surgical intervention. Medical experts explained that congenital blindness is often caused by genetic mutations and infections during pregnancy, some of which can be prevented through improved maternal health practices.
The outreach further uncovered numerous other eye conditions, including immature cataracts, suspected glaucoma, refractive errors, pterygium, and complications resulting from “couching”—a dangerous traditional practice carried out by untrained healers. One heartbreaking case involved a woman who lost vision in both eyes after undergoing treatment from a roadside coucher, believing she was receiving care. Medical officials used the opportunity to advise residents to avoid such unregulated treatments and instead seek professional help early.
At the heart of the initiative was the NNPC Foundation’s Managing Director, Mrs. Immanuella Arukwe, who expressed her delight at the programme’s impact. “We are truly excited to help restore the sight of individuals who had lost hope. Cataracts are treatable, and sight is essential. Without it, individuals are unable to contribute meaningfully to their families or society,” she stated. She noted that the foundation’s aim was to perform 1,000 successful surgeries in Abia, highlighting that restored sight can significantly boost economic productivity. According to her, the outreach, which commenced in the South West in January, is now extending its impact to the South East and South South regions of the country.
The programme’s chief consultant, Dr. Ann Amugo, commended Governor Alex Otti’s administration for its support and focus on strengthening the state’s healthcare delivery. Representing the governor at the launch, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, underscored the economic and social impact of such medical interventions. He cited studies showing that cataract surgery increases a person’s productivity fivefold, describing the surgeries as life-transforming and in line with the state’s health sector reforms.
Testimonies from beneficiaries have poured in, further validating the success of the initiative. One of the patients, Dan Ikpa, joyfully shared that he could see again immediately after the bandage was removed from his eye. A 54-year-old woman who had been blind in one eye before the outreach expressed surprise and gratitude that her operated eye had become even clearer than the one she had relied on previously.
The outreach also aligned with Governor Otti’s broader vision of improving healthcare across Abia and making the system more inclusive through partnerships. Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, the State Outreach Coordinator and Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, called for the programme to become an annual intervention, rotating across local government areas to reach more rural communities. She confirmed that beneficiaries had experienced significant vision restoration and urged for continuity in such collaborative efforts.
Special attention has now turned to the three children diagnosed with congenital blindness. Their families, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed hope that their children’s sight might finally be restored. “We’ve lived every day hoping for a miracle. Managing this condition has not been easy, but we believe this outreach could be the answer we’ve prayed for,” one parent shared. According to global health data, congenital blindness is often a result of improper eye development in the womb, making early diagnosis and treatment critical for a child’s future.
The success of the NNPC-Abia cataract outreach has sparked calls for sustained campaigns against preventable blindness, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas. It also highlights the power of public-private partnerships in delivering life-altering healthcare to Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.
