Kwara, UITH, Sightsavers conduct free eye screening for 300 in Ilorin
The Kwara State Government, in collaboration with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and Sightsavers, on Thursday conducted free eye screenings for no fewer than 300 civil servants and students in Ilorin as part of activities marking the 2025 World Sight Day.
This year’s celebration, themed “Love Your Eyes,” focused on raising global awareness about the importance of eye health and the need for regular eye checkups.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Taoheed Abdullahi, described the World Sight Day as a global campaign dedicated to promoting eye health and preventing avoidable blindness.
She explained that the theme “Love Your Eyes” highlights the need for individuals to recognize the vital role vision plays in their daily lives and to take proactive steps to protect it.
“Good vision is fundamental to our well-being, education, employment opportunities, productivity, and independence. Yet, millions of people worldwide, including many in Nigeria, live with preventable vision impairment and blindness. This is not just a health issue; it affects families, communities, and development,” she said.
Dr. El-Imam noted that eye health is increasingly threatened by factors such as aging, unhealthy lifestyles, and environmental conditions. She added that inadequate awareness of eye care practices and the rise in non-communicable diseases have contributed to preventable conditions like refractive errors and cataracts.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to expanding access to eye care through Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and specialized eye clinics, which now provide regular screenings, treatment for common eye conditions, and sight-saving surgeries.
Also speaking, Dr. Bolarinwa Tota, a Consultant Community Ophthalmologist at UITH, expressed concern that many people still go blind due to neglect and lack of awareness about preventive measures.
Citing data from the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Tota said more than 1.1 billion people globally live with vision impairment, with 90 per cent residing in developing countries — and about 75 per cent of those cases are preventable.
“The eyes are the window to the body. We must prioritize our health and ensure regular eye checks,” she advised.
She added that the ongoing collaboration between Sightsavers, the Ministry of Health, and UITH would continue to promote eye health awareness, noting that this year’s free screening covered 300 civil servants and secondary school students for various eye conditions.
