By Nelson Agbajor
ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ede Dafinone has reaffirmed his commitment to accessible and people-centered healthcare following a strategic meeting with officials of the Livelihood Impact Fund (LIF) in Abuja.
The high-level delegation, headed by Executive Director Abigail Steinberg, held extensive consultations with the Senator on forging sustainable partnerships designed to strengthen eye care services and primary healthcare delivery within Delta Central Senatorial District.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to build a more resilient and inclusive health system for communities in Delta Central and beyond, with particular emphasis on addressing preventable conditions that limit productivity and diminish quality of life.
LIF’s mission of providing life-changing health resources, especially through its Eyeglasses Initiative, aligns closely with Senator Dafinone’s vision of sustainable development anchored on tangible social impact. Stakeholders at the meeting noted that the collaboration represents a strategic convergence between legislative support and grassroots health intervention.
The Livelihood Impact Fund has already made significant inroads in Nigeria’s health sector. As a foundational partner in the Presidential Initiative on Eyeglasses, popularly known as Jigi Bola 2.0, the organisation supported the distribution of 1.3 million free reading glasses across 10 states within the past year, including Delta State.
Beyond large-scale distribution, LIF has contributed to building a sustainable health architecture by supporting the training of more than 2,200 Primary Health Care workers nationwide. These trained personnel are now equipped to conduct basic eye screenings and dispense reading glasses directly at the community level, thereby ensuring long-term impact and reducing pressure on secondary and tertiary health facilities.
The initiative is a key component of the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028), a policy framework aimed at integrating eye care into Nigeria’s general Primary Healthcare system. The plan seeks to expand access to essential eye services, particularly for underserved and rural populations.
In a related development, Senator Dafinone also hosted Dr. Oteri Okolo, National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health, who was part of the high-level delegation. Discussions during the meeting focused on practical strategies to further improve healthcare outcomes for residents of Delta Central.
Speaking during the engagement, Senator Dafinone emphasized that progress for the Urhobo Nation and Delta Central at large is a collective journey requiring deliberate partnerships and sustained commitment. He reiterated that his office remains open to collaborations that deliver measurable benefits to the people.
Observers say the meeting further underscores the Senator’s proactive approach to leveraging strategic alliances in advancing healthcare access across Delta Central. For many constituents, the engagement signals renewed hope that preventable health challenges—particularly vision impairment—will receive structured, sustained attention in the years ahead.
