The Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, has said that cataracts, a leading cause of blindness in Nigeria, can slow down national development. She made the statement during the foundation’s free cataract surgery outreach held in Umuahia, Abia State.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Arukwe explained that over 43% of blindness cases in Nigeria are caused by cataracts, which are preventable. She emphasized that when people lose their sight, they are unable to contribute to society and may become dependent on others. “Once you remove the cataract, they can see again and become productive members of the community,” she said.
The Umuahia outreach is part of the NNPC Foundation’s 1,000 Free Cataract Extraction Surgeries. Over 2,000 people were screened across Aba and Umuahia and 477 patients have been scheduled for surgery. Among the beneficiaries were children who had been blind due to cataracts but regained their sight after surgery.
Mrs. Arukwe expressed satisfaction with the turnout and praised the support of the Abia State Government. She noted that the foundation hopes to make the surgery programme an annual event, depending on available funding.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Uche, said the programme aligns with the state’s vision for improved healthcare. He confirmed that 2,116 people came for screening, showing the high demand and impact of the initiative.
Other government officials also commended the project, while beneficiaries expressed gratitude and called for the continuation of the programme. Traditional leaders and local officials were also present at the event.