Nigeria's Health Minister Calls for Eye Care Investment

The Nigerian federal government is addressing the critical issue of eye health, which affects approximately 24 million Nigerians suffering from vision loss. At a stakeholders' meeting in Abuja, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, highlighted that eye health impacts education, employment, and national development.

He noted that untreated visual impairments can hinder children's academic performance and adults' work efficiency, leading to broader economic consequences. Salako called for increased private-sector investment in eye care, advocating for innovative financing solutions such as blended finance and social impact funds.

He urged businesses across various sectors, including banking and telecommunications, to view investment in eye health as both a social responsibility and an economic opportunity. Salako recommended that corporate social responsibility initiatives focus on structured programs like school eye-health initiatives and community-based eye-care centers to ensure lasting benefits.