By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing blindness in Nigeria through a strategic framework aimed at strengthening early detection and management of glaucoma.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the pledge on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 World Glaucoma Week.
Salako described glaucoma as a “silent thief of sight” and a major public health challenge, stressing the need for collective efforts to curb the disease.
He said the government was prioritising integrated eye care services across primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare levels to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.
According to him, the initiative is being implemented under the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan 2024–2028.
“We have launched the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit to standardise diagnosis, treatment and referral protocols, empowering healthcare workers nationwide to deliver high-quality care,” the minister said.
He disclosed that ophthalmologists from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had been trained on the guidelines to enable them step down the training in their respective states.
Salako also said that through the JigiBola 2.0 Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria, more than 2,220 primary healthcare workers across 16 states had been trained and equipped with basic kits to conduct vision screening and make referrals where necessary.
He recalled that during the 2025 commemoration, the ministry conducted free eye examinations and provided glaucoma medication for diagnosed patients in the FCT, while coordinating similar exercises with state commissioners of health nationwide.
The minister explained that the theme for this year’s commemoration, “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World,” was a call for governments, healthcare providers, communities and individuals to intensify efforts to tackle the disease.
He emphasised that early detection through simple and painless tests remained the most effective way to prevent blindness caused by glaucoma.
“If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, strict adherence to the prescriptions by your doctor will prevent progression and save your sight,” he advised.
Salako added that the ministry, in collaboration with state governments, professional bodies and partners, had commenced nationwide activities to mark the week, including free glaucoma examinations at 38 health facilities across 11 states and the FCT.
He said awareness campaigns through traditional and digital media were also being intensified to educate Nigerians on risk factors such as age, family history, high blood pressure and being of African descent.
The minister urged Nigerians, particularly those aged 40 years and above, to undergo regular eye examinations at least once every two years and adopt preventive measures to maintain overall health.
He further assured that efforts to integrate eye health services into primary healthcare nationwide would be closely monitored to identify successes and existing gaps.
Salako noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to improving the health of Nigerians as part of its broader economic vision.
“The vision to achieve a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030 depends on the optimal contribution of all Nigerians,” he said.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said glaucoma remained the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
She noted that in Nigeria, nearly one in every 20 people above the age of 40 was living with glaucoma, while about 90 per cent of those affected were unaware of their condition until significant and permanent vision loss had occurred.
Kachollom said the ministry, through the National Eye Health Programme, was intensifying efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and visual impairment in the country.
“Our goal is simple: no Nigerian should go blind from a condition that can be managed if caught early,” she said.
Also speaking, glaucoma specialist and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdaline Ajani, warned that glaucoma often progresses without noticeable symptoms.
She cautioned against the unsupervised use of steroid-based eye drops and reliance on unverified traditional remedies, which could worsen complications.
Ajani listed warning signs of glaucoma to include rainbow-like halos around lights, frequent changes in eyeglasses and difficulty with peripheral vision.