For 70 years, Sightsavers Nigeria has been dedicated to safeguarding vision and advocating for disability rights. Since 1953, alongside government and partner collaborations, they’ve championed the rights of the disabled, performed 60,000 cataract surgeries, and provided 590 million treatments to combat neglected tropical diseases, aiming to alleviate pain, prevent blindness, and enhance lives.
Representatives from Sightsavers, national and state governments, and the global health community gathered at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on November 20 to commemorate the anniversary. Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, highlighted the Federal Government of Nigeria’s satisfaction with Sightsavers’ impact in the country over seven decades.
She emphasized the positive influence on literacy rates through eye surgeries and interventions, particularly in supporting girls and children with disabilities.
Dr. Edu called for increased support in the humanitarian space to further aid affected communities and internally displaced persons, preventing more individuals from falling below the poverty line.
Other notable attendees included Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike from the Federal Ministry of Health, Hon James Lalu from the Disability Commission, and Dr. Walter Mulombo, the World Health Organization country representative.
Sightsavers’ West Africa Regional Director, Fatoumata Diouf, expressed anticipation for Nigeria eradicating neglected tropical diseases and providing universal access to quality eye care. She also looks forward to advancing the disability agenda for equal access in health, education, employment, and political participation.
Sightsavers has played a crucial role in enhancing eye health services, fostering inclusive education for children with disabilities, and championing the rights of individuals with disabilities to fully engage in society. Over the last 70 years, the organization has trained 11,000 teachers and community health workers, enabling them to conduct vision screenings for children. Their impact is evident in screening 130 million children for visual impairment in north-west Nigeria. In 2023 alone, they empowered 1,000 service providers to better assist people with disabilities.
During the event, Caroline Harper, the CEO of Sightsavers, expressed optimism about the future of eye health, inclusion, and eliminating neglected tropical diseases in Nigeria. She highlighted the significance of collaboration and partnership in the organization’s success over the past seven decades, emphasizing their commitment to reaching marginalized communities, particularly the disabled community. Harper looks forward to many more years of collaboration and impactful work.
