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On Friday, President Bola Tinubu expressed strong support for the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health’s National Eye Health Programme and the Peek Vision Foundation. This partnership aims to supply over five million pairs of eyeglasses to Nigerians dealing with sight impairments.
In a statement issued on Friday, Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced that President Tinubu expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to support the cause during a courtesy visit by Prof. Andrew Bastawrous, the Founder and CEO of Peek Vision Foundation and Co-Founder of the Vision Catalyst Fund.
Ngelale emphasized that as the President extended the Federal Government’s support, he also reminisced about his initial involvement in promoting eye health.
“My initial encounter occurred with my beloved mother, may her memory be a blessing. She was unwell and unable to recognize me. Upon my intervention, she received treatment and was provided with a pair of glasses. Her very next inquiry struck a chord: ‘I have you, capable of assisting me. What about those other women and their children who may not have someone like you to step in on their behalf?'”
“I made a heartfelt promise to her, vowing to wholeheartedly champion the cause of accessible eye care for all. I committed to offering free eye screenings and surgeries to those in need, inspired not only by my mother’s poignant question but also by her unwavering passion to bring healing to others.
“As time passed, our efforts had a profound impact on the eye health of countless individuals in Lagos. Witnessing the sheer joy that radiated from people when they received a pair of glasses and experienced an immediate improvement in their vision was a memory the President cherished fondly.”
President Tinubu emphasized the urgent requirement for enhanced eye health services in Nigeria, expressing deep concern for the over 24 million Nigerians contending with diverse levels of vision impairments.
“We must take immediate action, as sight and vision play a critical role in economic development and growth,” remarked the President. He fondly recalled his visionary “Jigi Bola” program, initiated during his tenure as the Executive Governor of Lagos State in 2001. This program provided free eye screenings and surgeries to Lagosians and set a new standard for proactive eye care initiatives in West Africa.
“I fully support this initiative and will actively encourage further commitment to ensure its success and reach vulnerable people across our entire country. Some parents may overlook this issue, but I am deeply moved by it,” concluded the President.
Prof. Bastawrous, expressing his dedication to the cause, emphasized, “Good vision unlocks human potential, improving earning potential, educational outcomes, and overall well-being for individuals, communities, and nations alike.”
Sharing his personal story about the transformative impact of vision care, the CEO of the Peek Foundation stated, “When I was 12 years old, my teachers labeled me as clumsy and lazy. However, the results of an eye examination revealed that I had a severe vision impairment.”
“Everything changed when I first put on a pair of glasses. I saw the leaves on a tree with clarity for the very first time, and within two weeks, I received my first pair of free eyeglasses, enabling me to see the stars in the night sky clearly.”
“My academic performance improved dramatically, altering the course of my life entirely. This transformation was made possible by a remarkably affordable intervention that has existed for over 700 years. Without it, I wouldn’t be addressing you today, I wouldn’t have become a professor, and I wouldn’t be engaged in the meaningful work I do. Vision provides opportunities.”
Professor Bastawrous emphasized the chronic underfunding of eye care in many countries and pointed out that in Nigeria, a mere 0.0002 percent of the health budget is allocated to eye health.
“The great news is that President Tinubu has assembled an outstanding team in the healthcare sector, and several members have displayed remarkable leadership qualities. What we are eager to propose is introducing our Peek Vision methodology and platform to Nigeria, which can help unlock resources from various avenues.
“In the countries where we’ve implemented this approach, Peek Vision made a significant impact. In Botswana, it resulted in the unlocking of $10 million for the school program, while in Kenya, it led to the release of €17 million. Additionally, through the Vision Catalyst Fund, we’ve secured a generous donation of 200 million pairs of glasses, and we would like a substantial portion of these to benefit Nigeria,” he concluded.
At the conclusion of the event, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, was joined by Dr. Oteri Okolo, the Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, and Dr. Chukuma Anyaike, the Director of Public Health, as they presented a National Policy Document on Eye Health to the President.
