By Joy Onu
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing blindness caused by glaucoma through improved eye care services and nationwide awareness campaigns.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the pledge in Abuja during a press briefing to mark the 2026 commemoration of World Glaucoma Week.
Salako described glaucoma as a “silent thief of sight,” stressing that early detection and treatment remain the most effective ways to prevent irreversible vision loss.
He said the government is strengthening integrated eye care services across primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities under the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan 2024–2028.
According to the minister, the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit have been launched to standardise diagnosis, treatment and referral procedures across the country.
He disclosed that ophthalmologists from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have already been trained on the guidelines to help expand eye care services nationwide.
Salako also noted that through the JigiBola 2.0 programme, more than 2,220 primary healthcare workers in 16 states have been trained and equipped to conduct vision screening and refer patients for further care.
He added that activities marking the 2026 World Glaucoma Week include free glaucoma screening in 38 health facilities across 11 states and the FCT, as well as public awareness campaigns through traditional and social media.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said glaucoma remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness, revealing that about one in every 20 Nigerians above 40 lives with the disease.
Also speaking, glaucoma specialist and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdaline Ajani, warned that the disease often progresses without symptoms and urged Nigerians, particularly those aged 40 and above, to undergo regular eye examinations.
