David Umahi varsity Treats 2,412 Eye Patients, Distributes 1,000 Free Glasses within 7 Months
Prof. Jesse Uneke Vice Chancellor King David University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State
By Nabob Ogbonna, Abakaliki
The David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, located in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has announced that it provided free eye care treatment to 2,412 patients over the past seven months.
The university distributed 1,000 pairs of eyeglasses free of charge through its Free Eye Care Initiative and Eye Research Programme, housed at the institution’s Ultramodern Eye Centre and Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research (IEHVSR).
The Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS, Professor Jesse Uneke, disclosed this during a press and media engagement held at the Eye Centre on Thursday.
He described the initiative as part of the university’s core mandate of research, training, and community development.
According to Prof. Uneke, the facility funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was established to help tackle Nigeria’s growing burden of visual impairment and blindness, which affects an estimated 24 million people.
“Our Free Eye Care Initiative has significantly reduced cases of avoidable blindness while creating opportunities for training, research, and patient care. From February to date, we have treated 2,412 individuals: 1,352 for refractive errors, 627 for cataracts, 168 for glaucoma, and 265 for various other conditions,” he said.
He further revealed that the university provided 400 reading glasses and 600 prescription glasses, all at no cost to beneficiaries.
Prof. Uneke highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of the DUFUHS Eye Centre, which is staffed by ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, biomedical engineers, and ICT specialists.
Together, they work to expand access to eye care, particularly in underserved rural areas of Ebonyi State and beyond.
He stated that 84% of blindness in Nigeria is preventable, underscoring the importance of routine eye examinations, increased public awareness, and access to affordable treatment.
The Vice Chancellor also noted that the university’s eye care efforts are in alignment with the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030 Initiative, which seeks to expand global access to affordable and quality services for refractive errors.
The centre’s primary objectives, he explained, include,improving access to eye care in rural communities,raising awareness about the importance of regular eye checks,offering affordable treatment options for the underprivileged and developing sustainable long-term strategies for vision care delivery
Prof. Uneke reiterated the university’s commitment to strengthening its research, training, and community health programmes, in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to him, the ultimate goal is to reverse both medical and educational tourism by offering world-class services locally.
