… as finding shows over 25,000 Delta state residents live with untreated cataracts
Precious Ademiloye
At the Cataract Surgery Unit (CSU) extension of Central Hospital Kwale, fully supported by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, hope was rekindled as the Vcare for Development Foundation restored sight to patients through its ongoing free eye care intervention in Delta State.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Delta State Ministry of Health under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), is being delivered through the Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services (SPECS) Programme.
Since inception, the programme has recorded significant milestones, including the screening of 11,858 individuals and the successful completion of over 1,070 cataract and pterygium surgeries across intervention areas.
According to VCDF, the initiative commenced its first round of cataract surgeries in Delta State on February 26, 2026, at Central Hospital Kwale, serving beneficiaries from Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West local government areas.
The surgical process follows a structured approach. VCDF’s medical team conducts community-based screenings before transporting eligible patients to the CSU, where certified ophthalmologists carry out pre-operative assessments and perform surgeries at no cost.
Post-surgery care includes provision of medications, protective eye shields, and scheduled follow-up visits to ensure proper recovery.
Beyond surgeries, the programme has also focused on strengthening the health system. A total of 87 health workers have been trained in primary eye care service delivery, while 2,447 residents were screened during 62 outreach camps conducted across Delta State.
Data from the 2024 Nigeria National Eye Health Survey underscores the urgency of such interventions, revealing that cataracts account for 44 per cent of blindness cases in the country, with over 1.1 million Nigerians living with vision impairment.
In Delta State alone, more than 25,000 residents are affected by untreated cataracts.
Community leaders and beneficiaries have continued to highlight the programme’s impact.
High Chief Engr. Godwin Ifeanyi Edema of Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom described the intervention as “life-changing,” noting that it has brought specialized eye care closer to the people.
One of the beneficiaries, Emeke Odigili, expressed gratitude after regaining sight, saying he had nearly lost hope of seeing clearly again before receiving the free surgery.
An ophthalmologist with the programme, Dr. Ernest Ogbedo, emphasized that cataracts remain a leading cause of avoidable blindness but can be effectively treated through timely surgical intervention.
He noted that over 113 successful surgeries have already been carried out in Delta State alone.
Philip Ukemezia, VCDF’s Programmes Manager, described the initiative as a major milestone in restoring sight and dignity, not only in Delta State but also across nine local government areas in Akwa Ibom and Delta States combined.
The foundation said it has leveraged SEEPCO’s corporate social responsibility support to scale its impact and plans to expand free eye surgery services to additional local government areas and neighbouring states.
