As Nigeria joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Glaucoma Week (WGW), the Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako, has charged experts, academia, researchers, and innovators in technology with artificial intelligence to develop earlier methods of detection and effective treatment modalities.
The Honourable Minister gave the charge on Monday, March 10, 2025, in Abuja during the Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate World Glaucoma Week (WGW).
Represented by the Director of Port Health Services Division of the Ministry, Dr. Michael Akpan, during the briefing, Dr. Salako highlighted the importance of commemorating WGW, saying it is a global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association.
Themed "Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World, See the Future Clearly," WGW is designed to raise awareness on glaucoma directed at patients, policymakers, eyecare service providers, and the public.
He stated that the goal of the week-long activities is to emphasize the importance of regular eye checks and early diagnosis of this largely asymptomatic and devastating disease, thus preserving the vision of those affected.
Dr. Salako further said, "Glaucoma is an eye condition in which the optic nerve is progressively and irreversibly damaged, resulting in loss of peripheral vision in the beginning and blindness at advanced stages."
Described as "the silent thief of sight," which develops slowly into vision impairment before any signs or symptoms are apparent, it is regarded as the second commonest cause of blindness and leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and in Nigeria. However, it is manageable with early detection.
Butressing his assertions with grim figures and statistics, the Minister stated glaucoma affects an estimated 60.5 million people worldwide, about 87% of whom are living in developing countries. The Nigerian blindness and visual impairment survey 2005-2007 reported that 4.2% of the Nigerian population were blind; 16.7% were due to glaucoma.
"The risk factors associated with glaucoma include African ancestry, which means virtually all Nigerians are at risk and increasing age (over 40 years). Additional risk factors include family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, medical conditions that predispose a person to glaucoma, such as diabetes and hypertension, refractive errors, eye injuries, thin corneas, and prolonged use of corticosteroid eye drops."
On initiatives of the Federal Government to address glaucoma and improve patient outcomes, the Ministry, Dr. Salako added, has worked assiduously over the years by supporting and implementing targeted screening, public awareness programs, advocacy, improving patient journeys through the health system, leveraging technology, and setting research priorities.
To further strengthen these initiatives, the Minister explained that the Ministry, through the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP), is implementing, on behalf of Mr. President, the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (ESCIN), also known as JigiBola 2.0.
The initiative, he stated, aims to provide free vision screening and distribute 5 million pairs of reading glasses free to Nigerians in the next 3 years.
Dr. Salako highlighted the derivable benefits of collaboration and partnership between the National Eye Health Program (NEHP) of the Ministry and local and international partners, including the Livelihood Impact Fund, Restoring Vision USA, and The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), following the launch of JigiBola 2.0 in 2023.
He expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for supporting eye health through this impactful initiative and to eye care professionals and partners, including, amongst others, the One Sight Essilor Luxortt Foundation (OSELF), for providing support to the Ministry to reduce the burden of vision loss in Nigeria.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom mni, represented by the National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme, Dr. Okolo Oteri, acknowledged the efforts of eye health professionals and partners, whose dedication and hard work are instrumental in the fight against glaucoma.
2025 WORLD GLAUCOMA WEEK COMMEMORATION/MINSTERIAL PRESS BRIEFING
Group Photograp: L-R:
Mr. Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health &SW;
David Mallim (Association of Nigeria Dispensing Opticians)
Standing behind:
Mr. Rollo Romig, Solutions Insights Lab.
Next:
Dr. Etim, Asst. Director, National Health Care Division; Dr. Yagana Imam, North East Coordinator under National Eyesight Programme and Member, National Eye health care;
Middle:
Dr. Akpan Michael, Representing Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare;
Dr. Okolo Oteri, National Coordinator, National Eye Health Programme:
Behind her:
Mr. James Onele, Program Manager, One sight Essilorluxottica Foundation.
"As we commemorate World Glaucoma Week, I urge each one of you to take action, schedule a routine comprehensive eye exam, encourage your loved ones to do the same, and spread the word about the importance of early detection. Together, we can make a difference and help prevent vision loss caused by glaucoma," she emphasized.
It is pertinent to state that free screenings are being organized by the Ministry and will be conducted at the following locations:
Monday: Garki Market
Wednesday: FCT Public Health Department
Thursday: Durumi Park
Friday: Area 1 Park
Alaba Balogun
Deputy Director
Information & Public Relations
