Residents of Delta State have received free cataract surgeries through a programme run by Vcare for Development Foundation at Central Hospital Kwale, supported by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited.

In a statement, SEEPCO said VCDF performed its first surgeries, targeting patients from Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West. The programme, it was learnt, follows state-wide screenings where 87 health workers were trained and 2,447 people screened during 62 community camps.

Patients were screened in their communities and brought to the cataract surgery unit for assessment and surgery. After the procedure, they were said to have received medications, protective eye shields, and follow-up care.

“The 2024 Nigeria National Eye Health Survey highlights that cataracts cause 44% of blindness cases in Nigeria, where over 1.1 million people live with vision impairment. In Delta State, untreated cataracts affect more than 25,000 residents. In response, the Vcare for Development Foundation partnered with the Delta State Ministry of Health and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to commence surgeries at the Cataract Surgery Unit under the Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services Programme. The SPECS – Cataract Surgery Unit is fully supported by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited,” the statement read partly.

The outreach for cataract surgeries reportedly attracted large participation from both young and elderly residents seeking eye screenings, treatment, and surgical care services in Delta, with key participants highlighting the real impact on the community.

“I had almost lost hope of seeing clearly again. Today, I had free cataract surgery. I am grateful to VCDF,” a beneficiary, Emeke Odigili, said. An ophthalmologist at VCDF’s SPECS-CSU, Dr Ernest Ogbedo, said, “Cataract remains one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness, and timely surgery can completely restore vision. To date, the team has conducted 113 successful surgeries in Delta State.”

VCDF’s Programmes Manager, Philip Ukemezia, said that the foundation has leveraged SEEPCO’s support to screen 11,858 people and conduct over 1,070 successful cataract and pterygium surgeries, saying plans are ongoing to extend services to neighbouring local governments and states.