PHOTOS: Saudi Arabia provides free eye services for 4,000 people in Lagos

The Saudi Arabia government, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has provided free eye services to 4,000 people in Lagos.

The eye care volunteer program commenced on May 20 at the Gbagada General Hospital, and is billed to end on May 27.

Speaking on Thursday, Mohammed Alsahabi, Saudi press attaché in Nigeria, said the initiative is part of the country’s global mission to provide critical healthcare services to underserved communities.

Alsahabi said beneficiaries received comprehensive eye care services, including diagnostic eye screenings, cataract surgeries with intraocular lens (IOL) implants, correction of refractive errors, and prescription eyeglasses.

He noted that the initiative is carried out under the directives of the custodian of the two mosques —King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Alsahabi said since the launch of the blindness prevention campaign in Nigeria in 2019, KSrelief has conducted over 218,000 eye examinations, distributed over 45,000 eyeglasses, with “more than 21,000 patients regaining their sight through surgical interventions”.

He added that the initiative in Lagos reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s dedication to humanitarian health missions and its solidarity with Nigeria’s efforts to combat preventable blindness.

“The Lagos phase of the program brings essential ophthalmologic services to one of Nigeria’s most populous states,” Alsahabi said.

“Most recently, the program has been implemented in Yobe, Kano, and Bauchi states, bringing relief to thousands in the northern regions.

“KSrelief’s efforts in Lagos signify a growing recognition of the urban-rural healthcare divide and the need to address eye health challenges even within densely populated city centers. Gbagada General Hospital, a major referral facility in Lagos, now becomes a vital hub for this life-changing outreach.”

Nojim Olaogun, one of the beneficiaries, thanked the organisers for their timely intervention, noting that the process was “seamless and rewarding”.

Olaogun added that most Nigerians have gone blind due to their inability to access proper healthcare services.

“I came to have surgery on one of my eyes. We were tested, and those who needed medication were given; and those who needed glasses received them,” Olaogun said.

“It is a nice thing. Some people are suffering because they do not have money; and because of that, some have gone blind.

”We thank them so much for coming to Nigeria to offer us this kind of assistance. It is a blessing to us.”

Below are photos.