The Healthy and Smart Children Foundation (HSCF) has successfully restored the sight of 100 indigent cataract patients through a free eye surgery outreach held in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, marking one of the largest community-based eye health interventions in the area.
The initiative, tagged “God’s Gift of Sight,” combined free cataract surgeries with comprehensive eye care services, reaching thousands of residents across the Afikpo community.
Before the surgical phase, HSCF conducted an extensive free eye screening programme across seven autonomous communities in Afikpo, where more than 4,000 residents received eye examinations.
During the outreach, about 2,500 people diagnosed with presbyopia and other refractive errors were provided with free reading glasses, while hundreds of others received medications and treatment for various eye conditions. The screening exercise also identified patients living with cataracts, who were subsequently enrolled for the free surgical programme.
The cataract surgeries were carried out over four consecutive weekends at Centre of Hope Hospital, Afikpo, by a multidisciplinary team comprising ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, pharmacists, counsellors and volunteers.
The intervention focused on restoring vision, improving quality of life and reducing avoidable blindness among vulnerable residents of Ebonyi State.
Project Manager, Fredrick Oko-Otu, described the outreach as a clear demonstration of the impact of compassionate healthcare and community collaboration..
According to him, the programme was about more than performing surgeries.
“This initiative is about restoring dignity, independence, productivity and hope. Seeing beneficiaries regain their sight and reconnect with their loved ones after years of blindness has been the greatest reward for our team,” he said.
Oko-Otu also praised HSCF Executive Director, Dr. Christian Oko, for providing the leadership that made the project successful.
He noted that under Dr. Oko’s leadership, the Foundation has continued to implement impactful programmes in healthcare, education and community development that benefit underserved populations.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Dr. Christian Oko said cataracts account for approximately 43 percent of blindness cases in Nigeria, making community-based interventions essential in tackling preventable blindness.
He commended the medical team, volunteers and partners whose dedication ensured the success of the project.
Dr. Oko acknowledged the contributions of Maurice Ekuma, Community Engagement Officer, whose grassroots mobilisation and collaboration with community leaders helped attract thousands of residents for the screening exercise.
He also praised Dr. Ginger Eke, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Lead Surgeon, for leading the surgical team that successfully completed all 100 cataract operations while maintaining high standards of patient care.
The Foundation further recognised Mrs. Beatrice Oko for coordinating feeding arrangements throughout the four-week outreach, ensuring patients, caregivers, medical personnel and volunteers were adequately catered for.
Following the surgeries, beneficiaries returned for post-operative assessments, where many experienced the emotional moment of having their eye bandages removed and regaining clear vision for the first time in years.
The recovery sessions were filled with joy, gratitude and testimonies from patients who described the intervention as life-changing.
HSCF expressed appreciation to Centre of Hope Hospital for providing its eye theatre and partnering in the successful implementation of the programme.
The Foundation also thanked surgeons, doctors, optometrists, nurses, pharmacists, volunteers, donors, community leaders and development partners whose support made the outreach possible.
Community leaders described the initiative as one of the most impactful healthcare programmes ever implemented in Afikpo, noting that it has restored vision, renewed hope and improved the quality of life for many families.
Reaffirming its commitment to improving healthcare access, HSCF said it would continue to implement sustainable, community-driven interventions aimed at reducing preventable diseases and improving the wellbeing of underserved communities.
The Foundation noted that the project recorded significant achievements, including over 4,000 free eye screenings, about 2,500 reading glasses distributed, hundreds treated for various eye conditions, and 100 successful cataract surgeries.
It stressed that beyond the statistics are hundreds of lives transformed through the gift of restored sight and renewed hope.
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