ASHAKA/Nigeria: Thousands of Nigerians continue to grapple with avoidable vision problems, with cataracts and other eye conditions ranking among the leading causes of preventable blindness. In Delta State alone, an estimated 50,000 residents are living with cataracts — a condition that can be effectively treated through timely medical intervention. However, limited access to specialized eye care services and the high cost of treatment have left many, particularly those in rural communities, without help.
In response to this growing public health concern, the Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), with the backing of Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), has launched its Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services (SPECS) Programme in Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area. The initiative is designed to provide free eye screenings, cataract surgeries, medications and prescription eyeglasses, delivering critical eye care services directly to underserved communities.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Ashaka, VCDF Programme Manager, Mr. Phillip Ukemezia, described the programme as part of a broader, long-term strategy to strengthen eye care delivery in the state. He disclosed that VCDF has entered into a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Delta State Government aimed at expanding access to quality and sustainable eye health services.
Ukemezia explained that the partnership, in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Health and supported by SEEPCO, is structured to ensure early diagnosis and prompt treatment of common eye conditions such as cataracts and pterygium. He noted that integrating primary eye care into existing Primary Health Care Centres would make services more accessible, particularly for residents who often rely on these centres as their first point of medical contact.
According to him, the SPECS Programme, which commenced in 2023, prioritizes early detection, screening and referral through community-based health facilities. “By strengthening primary health care centres to deliver eye care services, we are ensuring that patients can be identified early and referred appropriately for treatment,” he said.
The Delta State rollout follows the programme’s successful pilot phase in Akwa Ibom State, where 8,579 individuals benefited from free eye screenings, medications and eyeglasses, while 865 cataract surgeries were successfully carried out. The positive outcomes recorded during the pilot phase encouraged the expansion of the initiative to Delta State, with a focus on reaching more underserved populations.
Also speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Mrs. Cecilia Ekpo, commended the foundation and its partners for the intervention, describing it as a significant relief for residents. She noted that many people who previously could not afford eye treatment now have the opportunity to access care at no cost, thereby improving their quality of life.
SEEPCO reaffirmed its commitment to the wellbeing of its host communities, emphasizing that the eye care initiative aligns with its broader corporate social responsibility objectives. The company pledged continued collaboration with VCDF and relevant stakeholders to implement programmes that deliver tangible benefits to local communities.
As part of efforts to ensure sustainability, 73 health workers and community volunteers across Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas have undergone training under the programme. This capacity-building component is expected to entrench primary eye care services within local health facilities and guarantee continuity beyond the outreach phase.
Through the SPECS Programme, VCDF and SEEPCO are not only restoring sight but also strengthening the local health system, offering renewed hope to families and reinforcing the critical message that preventable blindness can be effectively tackled through collaboration, accessibility and sustained investment in primary healthcare.
