KWALE/Nigeria: Residents of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State have begun to benefit from free comprehensive eye care services following the rollout of the Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services Programme (SPECS) by Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) in partnership with the Delta State Ministry of Health.
The initiative, supported by Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO), was formally flagged off during a two-day outreach that commenced in Ashaka and concluded in Umusadege, Kwale, drawing participation from state officials, local authorities, community leaders, and residents.
The medical outreach witnessed a large turnout of both young and elderly residents who accessed eye screenings, treatment, medications, and surgical services.
Representing the Delta State Commissioner for Health at the launch, the Programme Manager of the State Eye Health Programme, Dr. Gloria Mok, described SPECS as a strategic intervention designed to improve access to quality eye care, particularly for indigent populations.
She noted that the collaboration would significantly expand access to essential services including free cataract surgeries, eye examinations, medications, and corrective reading glasses for residents across the state.
Dr. Mok explained that SPECS, approved for implementation in 2025, is structured to integrate high-quality primary eye care into existing Primary Health Care facilities statewide.
She further disclosed that the programme would strengthen the State Eye Health Programme while expanding the reach of the ongoing Jigibola Campaign across 75 Primary Health Care centres in the 25 local government areas of Delta State.
Providing insights into the programme’s impact, she revealed that over 127,000 pairs of glasses have already been distributed, while more than 230 healthcare workers have been trained in primary eye care services.
Also speaking, the Ophthalmologist for the SPECS Programme, Dr. Ernest Ogbedo, emphasized that the initiative was designed to remove barriers preventing rural dwellers from accessing essential eye care by bringing services directly to their communities.
He noted that SPECS is not a one-off outreach but a sustainable intervention embedded within the primary healthcare system, supported by SEEPCO as part of its corporate social responsibility to host communities.
On behalf of beneficiaries, Mr. Prince Nwanze commended VCDF and SEEPCO for what he described as a timely intervention that has significantly reduced the financial burden associated with accessing eye treatment.
VCDF, with continued support from SEEPCO, has implemented similar eye care interventions in other parts of Nigeria, reinforcing its commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality, and sustainable eye health services nationwide.
