In recognition of this year’s World Sight Day, we had the pleasure of speaking with Udora Orizu about the impactful humanitarian and legislative initiatives spearheaded by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. His efforts are aimed at enhancing access to eye care across Nigeria.

Historically, the significance of sight has permeated cultures, tracing back over 2,000 years to the healing work of Jesus Christ. A vivid example can be found in the Gospel of Luke: when Jesus encountered Bartimaeus, who was blind, He asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus responded, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” Jesus then told him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.”

In our modern world, many individuals often assume their vision is satisfactory without realizing they may require corrective lenses. Regular eye examinations are essential for the early detection of eye diseases that can go unnoticed for extended periods. A comprehensive dilated eye exam can catch issues in their early stages, making treatment to prevent vision loss significantly more effective.

Deputy Speaker Kalu has emerged as a strong advocate for eye health, blending personal commitment with legislative action to promote wellness for all. Eye health has historically received little attention, both in developed and developing nations. In Nigeria, the situation is particularly alarming, with an estimated 24 million people experiencing vision impairment and 1.3 million living with blindness. Additionally, around 50 million others suffer from eye conditions requiring basic care. Studies indicate that eye health in Nigeria has not been prioritized, often leaving individuals without access to even the most fundamental eye care services.

In response to the growing issues of global blindness, World Sight Day is celebrated each year on the second Thursday of October. Launched by the SightFirst Campaign of Lions Club International Foundation in 2000, this global initiative aims to raise awareness about blindness and vision impairment. It is now part of the VISION 2020 initiative and is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

To tackle the urgent need for improved eye care, Deputy Speaker Kalu introduced the End Blindness Project via the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, which focuses on outreach initiatives in Bende to provide eye exams, treatments, surgeries, and prescriptions for glasses.

In October 2023, the foundation joined forces with Vision Saver Eye Care Limited to conduct a three-day medical outreach in Bende, attracting over 1,200 individuals who received critical eye care, including medications, medicated glasses, and cataract surgeries.

After receiving positive updates from the medical team, Kalu emphasized that this initiative is just the beginning and aims to extend across the nation. He expressed his pride in the work of the vision savers, noting, “Their professionalism and impact have been incredible. We will continue to address blindness not just in Bende, but throughout Abia, the Southeast, and Nigeria as a whole.”

At the Charity Champions Gala Night in June, Kalu highlighted the concerning statistics indicating that 24 million Nigerians struggle with vision impairment. He shared that through the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, over 4,000 constituents received treatment for various eye issues in the past year, demonstrating the significant impact of collective action.

Kalu reaffirmed his dedication to tackling these challenges, referring to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, which reveals that 4.2 percent of Nigerians over 40 are classified as blind. This insight fueled his sponsorship of the National Eye Centre Act (Amendment) Bill, currently under review in parliament.

This legislation aims to enhance access to specialized eye care by establishing additional centers nationwide. However, Kalu stressed that legislative action alone is insufficient; the involvement of the community is crucial.

“We need champions like you—individuals who understand the power of community,” Kalu stated. He acknowledged that existing eye care laws are outdated and require updates to meet contemporary needs and support President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda for enhanced health security.

Additionally, Kalu is pursuing amendments to the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Council Act to improve efficiency, as well as to the National Eye Centre Act to create more specialized centers across the country for the prevention and treatment of eye diseases.

In a recent meeting with leaders from the Nigerian Optometric Association, Kalu highlighted the urgent need for modernization in eye care legislation, declaring, “We will pursue the amendment of the National Eye Centre Act to ensure we have specialized centers, starting with Abia.”

The commitment of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu in the battle against blindness is commendable and should motivate all stakeholders to rally around the goals of Vision 2020 in Nigeria. Affectionately known as Utabiri Bende, Kalu is dedicated to advocating for improved eye health, one patient at a time.

*Miss Orizu serves as the Special Assistant on Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker.*