By Agbafo Ijeoma
The Plateau State Government says 100 patients will receive free cataract surgeries as part of activities to mark the 2026 World Sight Day in the state. Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, disclosed this on Monday in Jos while commemorating the occasion with the theme, “Love Your Eyes.”
Ba’amlong said the initiative was being implemented in collaboration with Sightsavers at the Federal Medical Centre, Wase, in Wase Local Government Area. He added that residents would also benefit from free eye checks and screening, stressing the importance of early detection and treatment of eye conditions before they become severe.
The commissioner said eye health was closely linked to education, employment, productivity, independence, social participation and overall quality of life. He noted that many eye conditions could be prevented, treated or properly managed when people had timely access to appropriate healthcare services.
Ba’amlong said the state government would continue to strengthen eye-health services, integrate eye care into the wider health system and improve access for people in underserved and hard-to-reach communities. He also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, healthcare professionals, non-governmental organisations, traditional and religious leaders, community groups and other stakeholders to improve eye-care services.
He urged residents to make regular eye checks a personal and family priority, advising parents and caregivers to pay attention to changes in children’s vision and workers to protect their eyes from workplace hazards. The commissioner also encouraged older persons experiencing changes in their vision to seek professional assessment rather than assuming that poor eyesight was a normal part of ageing.
