Bauchi launches SightQuest initiative to combat preventable blindness
By Ahmed Ahmed
The AlBasar International Foundation (BIF) has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating preventable blindness and expanding access to affordable eye care services in Bauchi State through the launch of the SightQuest Nigeria Bauchi Programme.
The initiative was unveiled with the support of Christoffel Blind Mission (CBM) during an official ceremony on Thursday attended by officials of the Bauchi State Ministry of Health, community leaders, civil society organisations, journalists and representatives of vulnerable groups.
Speaking at the event, Regional Director of BIF, Dr. Moheildin Abdallah, expressed appreciation to the state government and stakeholders for the opportunity to partner in improving eye health services in the state.
He described the programme as a major step toward strengthening collaboration in the health sector and reducing the burden of avoidable blindness.
Dr Abdallah explained that the foundation began its outreach activities in Bauchi in 1999 and later established a specialised eye hospital in the state in 2009 to provide comprehensive eye care services.
Founded in 1989, the foundation is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the prevention and treatment of blindness, particularly in developing countries across Africa and Asia.
Its regional office in Nigeria was established in 2004, although its interventions in the country date back to 1994 through mobile eye care services.“Our vision is to create a world free from preventable blindness where people can access affordable and sustainable eye care,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Country Programme Manager of Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Mr Micheal Idah, said the organisation was founded more than a century ago by Christopher Blindenmission and has operated in Nigeria since 1968.
He noted that CBM is an international Christian development organisation focused on improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities, particularly in poor and underserved communities.
According to him, the organisation works through three major thematic areas: Community-Based Inclusive Development, Inclusive Humanitarian Action and Inclusive Health Action.“In Nigeria, CBM currently implements programmes in 21 states aimed at preventing disabilities and supporting people living with disabilities,” he said.
Regional Advisor of CBM, Dr Kolawale Ogundimu, highlighted the “Fight for Vision Quest 2035,” a 10-year programme designed to significantly reduce avoidable blindness through improved access to cataract surgery and vision care.
He explained that the programme aims to achieve a 30-percentage-point improvement in effective cataract surgical coverage by 2035.
Dr Ogundimu disclosed that Bauchi would be the first beneficiary state, with plans to conduct over 20,000 cataract surgeries within five years, provide more than 60,000 pairs of spectacles and screen about 600,000 people for eye conditions.
Launching the programme, Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Sani Mohammed, described the initiative as a landmark intervention that would significantly improve eye health in the state.
He commended partners including CBM, BIF and World Health Organization and UNICEF for supporting the government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The governor said the state government had prioritised the health sector since assuming office, including declaring a state of emergency in the sector, allocating more than 15 percent of the state budget to health and recruiting over 3,000 healthcare workers to improve service delivery.
He expressed optimism that the partnership would expand access to quality eye care and improve the well-being of residents across the state.
