By BLESSING ODEGA

The Plateau government says 100 patients will benefit from free cataract surgeries as part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Sight Day in the state.

Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, Commissioner for Health, made the disclosure on Monday in Jos while commemorating the 2026 World Sight Day, 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 further said there would be free eye checks and screening for residents, stressing the importance of early detection and treatment of eye conditions.

The commissioner said the theme was a call to action, reminding people that protecting their eyes was essential to learning, working, communicating, moving safely and enjoying life.

According to him, eye health was not an isolated health issue but closely connected to education, employment, productivity, independence, social participation and quality of life.

He said many eye conditions could be prevented, treated or managed when people had timely access to appropriate services.

Ba’amlong said the Plateau government remained committed to strengthening eye health services and making eye care increasingly accessible to residents.

“We will continue to support the integration of eye health into the wider health system, strengthen treatment pathways, promote community awareness and encourage early detection and treatment of eye conditions,” he said.

Ba’amlong added that government would also focus on people living in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

“Our goal must be an eye health system where every person, regardless of age, gender, location or economic circumstances, has the opportunity to receive appropriate eye care,” he said.

He called for stronger collaboration among government, non-governmental organisations, health professionals, traditional and religious leaders, community organisations and other stakeholders to improve eye-health services.

Ba’amlong urged residents to make eye health a personal and family priority by going for regular eye checks and seeking professional care whenever they noticed changes in their vision.

He particularly advised parents and caregivers to pay attention to changes in their children’s vision, while urging workers to protect their eyes from workplace hazards.

He also encouraged older persons to seek professional assessment when they experienced changes in vision rather than assuming that poor vision was a normal part of ageing.

The commissioner urged community leaders, teachers and religious leaders to promote accurate information on eye health and discourage harmful practices that could endanger people’s sight.

“Most importantly, let us not wait until a vision problem becomes severe before seeking help,” he said.

Ba’amlong commended eye-health professionals and other healthcare workers for their dedication, urging them to continue providing compassionate and quality services while strengthening health education and early referral.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Sight Day is marked globally on Oct. 8 to raise awareness about preventable causes of vision impairment and blindness and promote access to eye-care services. (NAN)