On Wednesday, at least 3,000 people received free eye treatments at the State Hospital, Ring-Road, Ibadan, during the opening of a seven-day eye care programme.

The programme, tagged ‘Free mobile eye camp,’ was sponsored by Al-Basar International Foundation, Saudi Arabia, and locally organised by the Organisation of Tadhoomunul Muslimeen in Nigeria.

The programme coordinator, Sheikh Isa Akindele, said the free eye treatment started 30 years ago in the state, with the Oyo government providing hospital facilities to assist.

“It is free; we distribute free glasses and do surgeries for those that are necessary,” Mr Akindele said.

Also, the organisation’s spokesman, Kamorudeen Muritala, said that the programme aimed to reduce the rate of blindness and suffering among the people.

“The treatment is mainly for cataracts and some other minor eye ailments; the ones with minor cases will be given eyeglasses and drugs, but those for cataracts will be booked for surgery. So far, more than 500 people have been booked for surgery while no fewer than 3,000 people have received free glasses and drugs.

“It usually lasts for seven days. So this year’s own is between May 21 and May 27. In 2023, about 600 surgeries were done and about 5,000 general treatments were given,” he said.

According to Mr Muritala, the free eye treatment is for all, irrespective of their religious or ethnic affiliations. 

(NAN)