Nigeria Activates 1,400 PHCs for Primary Eye Care on World Sight Day

On World Sight Day 2026, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the activation of more than 1,400 primary health centres (PHCs) to provide primary eye care Nigeria services, a decisive step toward expanding access to quality eye care and reducing avoidable blindness nationwide. The rollout, unveiled by Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, underscores the government’s commitment to align with the World Health Organization’s Vision 2020‑2030 agenda and to meet the growing demand for eye health services across the country.

Why primary eye care matters for Nigeria’s health agenda

Eye health has long been a silent crisis in Nigeria, with cataract, glaucoma, refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy accounting for the majority of visual impairment cases. According to the National Blindness Survey of 2022, over 4.5 million Nigerians live with some form of visual impairment, many of which are preventable or treatable if caught early. Primary eye care, delivered at the community level, offers a cost‑effective way to screen, refer and manage these conditions before they progress to irreversible blindness.

By embedding eye‑care services within PHCs, the government aims to bring essential diagnostics—such as visual acuity testing, basic refraction, and cataract detection—closer to where people live and work. This decentralised approach reduces the burden on tertiary hospitals, shortens waiting times, and encourages early health‑seeking behaviour, especially among rural populations that historically face transport and affordability barriers.

How the activation of 1,400 PHCs is being implemented

The activation process follows a three‑phase model: infrastructure upgrade, capacity building, and community outreach. First, the Ministry of Health allocated funds to refurbish existing PHC buildings, ensuring they meet basic standards for infection control, lighting and privacy. In many states, this involved installing dedicated eye‑care rooms equipped with portable slit lamps, visual acuity charts, and basic refraction sets.

Second, a nationwide training programme was launched for over 3,500 health workers, including nurses, community health officers and midwives. The curriculum, developed in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Ophthalmology and the World Blindness Organisation, covers common eye diseases, basic screening techniques, patient counselling, and referral pathways to secondary and tertiary eye centres. Training sessions were delivered both in‑person and via a new e‑learning platform, allowing health workers in remote areas to participate without travelling long distances.

Third, each activated PHC is required to conduct monthly community eye‑health camps, often in collaboration with local NGOs, religious groups and school administrations. These camps provide free vision screening for children, adults and the elderly, distribute low‑cost spectacles, and raise awareness about the importance of regular eye checks. In Lagos State, for example, the first camp at the Ijora PHC screened over 1,200 residents within a week, identifying 150 cases of uncorrected refractive error and 30 suspected cataract cases for referral.

Impact on vulnerable groups and regional disparities

One of the most significant benefits of the PHC activation is its potential to close the urban‑rural divide in eye‑care access. In the northern states of Kano and Katsina, where cultural and logistical barriers have historically limited women’s access to health services, the presence of eye‑care services within PHCs has encouraged more women to attend screenings alongside their children. Community health volunteers report a noticeable increase in attendance at eye‑health camps, especially when sessions are timed to coincide with market days.

Children stand to gain considerably from early detection of refractive errors, which can affect learning outcomes. The Ministry’s data from pilot PHCs in Enugu State shows that 12‑year‑old students who received spectacles showed a 15% improvement in classroom performance over a six‑month period. This aligns with broader educational goals, as better vision directly supports literacy and numeracy development.

For people living with diabetes—a growing health concern across Africa—the integration of basic retinal screening at PHCs offers a crucial early warning system for diabetic retinopathy. In the pilot phase, the PHC in Port Harcourt’s Eleme district identified 45 patients with early signs of retinal changes, enabling timely referral to specialist care and preventing potential vision loss.

Challenges and the way forward

While the activation of 1,400 PHCs marks a historic milestone, several challenges remain. Supply chain constraints for essential eye‑care consumables, such as sterile lenses and medication, can disrupt service delivery, especially in remote areas. To mitigate this, the Ministry is negotiating bulk procurement agreements with local manufacturers and exploring public‑private partnerships to ensure a steady flow of supplies.

Another hurdle is the retention of trained health workers in underserved regions. Incentive schemes, including hardship allowances and career progression pathways, are being piloted in states like Benue and Cross River to encourage staff to remain in community posts.

Looking ahead, the government plans to expand the PHC network to an additional 500 centres by 2028, integrate tele‑ophthalmology platforms for remote specialist consultations, and launch a national eye‑health insurance scheme that will subsidise the cost of spectacles and cataract surgery for low‑income families.

Regional collaboration and lessons for Africa

Nigeria’s initiative resonates with similar eye‑care strategies across the continent. Ghana’s Ministry of Health recently announced a partnership with the African Centre for Eye Health to roll out primary eye‑care services in 800 community clinics, while Kenya’s Vision 2025 programme focuses on strengthening eye‑care capacity at the sub‑county level. These parallel efforts highlight a growing recognition that primary eye care is a cornerstone of universal health coverage in Africa.

By sharing best practices, training modules and procurement data, Nigeria hopes to foster a regional network that can collectively address the continent’s eye‑health burden. The World Sight Day event also served as a platform for African ophthalmologists to discuss cross‑border referral systems, especially for complex cases that require specialised surgical intervention.

FAQ

• What services are offered at the newly activated PHCs? Each PHC provides visual acuity testing, basic refraction, cataract screening, diabetic retinopathy checks, and health education on eye‑care hygiene.
• Who can access these services and are they free? Services are open to all residents within the PHC catchment area. Basic screenings are free; spectacles and referrals may incur a nominal fee, but subsidies are available for low‑income patients.
• How can I find the nearest PHC offering eye‑care? The Ministry of Health has launched an online locator tool (www.health.gov.ng/eye‑care) and a USSD code *123*4# that provides the address and contact of the closest participating PHC.

For more details, see the full announcement on Vanguard Nigeria.

Related Reading

• Bandits Storm Kaduna Estate, Abduct Pregnant Woman, Couple and Their Baby
• African Creative Celebration: Inside the Macallan and Kokopelli’s Fusion of Culture and Craft
• Tropical Storm Isaias Threatens Gulf Coast: Hurricane Watch Ahead This Weekend