Press Releases

Turai Yar’Adua Flags Off Free Cataract Eye Operation In Lagos

Jun 18, 2008 - The First Lady of the Federation, Hajia Turai Musa Yar’adua on Wednesday flagged off the free surgical operation for cataract patients in the Lagos centre with a plea to all Nigerians as well as groups and non- governmental organisations to contribute their quota to the development of the society.

Hajia Yar’adua who spoke at the opening ceremony of “A Five –Day Free Eye Camp” held at the Epe Recreation Ground in Epe, added that a total of five hundred patients would be offered free cataract surgery at the Lagos centre before other centres take their turn.

She explained that the programme which forms part of her pet project “Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation”(WAYEF) would cover states like Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Edo, Delta and Benue States under the Lagos centre.

Hajia Yar’adua listed other areas where she has made her modest contributions and assistance to include HIV/AIDS, child and maternal mortality, cancer and similar serious diseases that continue to have its toll on women and children.

Hajia Yar’adua restated her resolve to use her energy and resources at all times to give her modest contributions to humanity, in order to have a healthier, better and prosperous Nigeria.

The First Lady of the Federation added that the free cataract surgery exercise is meant to alleviate the sufferings of patients particularly those that could not afford the expenses of the treatment.

She stressed that the issue of cataract and similar health problems require the assistance of all and sundry in order to assist the weak and less privileged members of the society, especially when the magnitude of cataract patients in the population is considered.

Earlier in her contribution, the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola informed that Lagos State is highly gratified that it is playing a crucial role in facilitating a process that will assist five hundred people overcome the challenges of glaucoma and cataract free of charge.

She informed that in Lagos State , blindness prevention through screening, surgery and provision of eye glasses is a major programme from which a lot of the people have benefited.

Mrs Fashola also said that given the increasing challenge and the desire to reach as many people as possible, the present free eye screening initiative is most welcome and highly appreciated as it will complement all that the various States have been doing in the same regard.

In his contribution, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris said the choice of Lagos State as the host is no surprise as Lagos is the foremost state in the nation in terms of eye care delivery and blindness prevention initiative.

Dr Idris added that to date, the Lagos State Blindness Prevention Program has reached out to over 500,000 people in various communities in the state, with 82,830 benefitting from eye glasses while 13,037 people have had free surgery done to restore their vision.

Hajia Yar’adua and her entourage later visited the Epe Grammar School venue of the screening exercise to see some of the beneficiaries of the free eye camp exercise.