The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Attom Foundation, on Monday launched a three-day free eye screening and cataract surgery programme at Philip Junction, Olusosun, Ojota. Surgeries are scheduled to hold today and tomorrow at Orile Agege General Hospital.
The initiative, coordinated by the Blindness Prevention Programme Unit of the Ministry of Health, is designed to restore sight, dignity, and hope to residents across the state.
Speaking at the flag-off, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu—represented by Dr. Modupe Bowale, wife of the Permanent Secretary of Health District IV—described the programme as life-changing, noting that millions of people globally live with preventable blindness and visual impairment.
She praised the Attom Foundation and Aide à l’aide Foundation for their compassion, stressing that the project goes beyond restoring sight to reviving productivity, independence, and family wellbeing. She urged residents to take advantage of the free services, warning against neglecting minor symptoms. “Good vision is not a privilege but a right,” she said.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, assured that all services—including glasses and surgeries—are completely free. She highlighted the government’s commitment to accessible healthcare for all, regardless of economic status. Ogunyemi also emphasized the importance of screening children, noting that undiagnosed poor eyesight often leads to mislabelling pupils as lazy or slow learners.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, said the initiative aligns with the government’s recognition of good vision as essential to life and productivity. He assured that no one would be excluded, adding that the programme will be conducted at least four times yearly to reach more residents.
Director of Projects and Coordination at Attom Foundation, Tarik Abubakar, commended Lagos for being the first state in the Southwest to host the programme and described the state as a healthcare pacesetter. He praised the Ministry for its dedicated Blindness Prevention Unit and said the Foundation’s mission is to reduce the growing burden of visual impairment in Nigeria.
Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programmes at the Ministry of Health, appreciated the partners and medical teams. She noted that bringing the outreach to Onigbongbo LCDA was a way of giving back, recalling that international football star Victor Osimhen, a strong supporter of the Attom Foundation, grew up in Olusosun.
Beneficiaries also expressed gratitude, with Kehinde Lukmon, a pupil of Olusosun Primary School, thanking the Lagos Government and Attom Foundation for helping children see better and learn effectively.
The free cataract surgeries will continue today, September 30, and tomorrow, October 1, at Orile Agege General Hospital, where hundreds of residents are expected to benefit.
