BENIN CITY – More than 1,000 patients have benefitted from a cataract screening and subsidised surgery programme organised by the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
The programme, which ran from March 4 to March 6, 2026, attracted a large number of patients from across the South-South region of Nigeria seeking treatment for cataracts and other eye-related conditions.
Participants underwent free eye consultations and screenings during the programme.
Patients diagnosed with cataracts were also offered subsidised cataract surgery aimed at addressing their visual impairment and improving their quality of life.
The initiative has been widely commended by beneficiaries and stakeholders, who praised the leadership of the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, for supporting programmes that improve access to specialised healthcare services.
The programme highlights the growing demand for accessible eye care in the region and the role of UBTH in providing specialised medical services.
Medical experts involved in the exercise said the initiative is giving renewed hope and better vision to many patients who had previously struggled with impaired sight.
They noted that the intervention aligns with ongoing efforts under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve healthcare delivery and expand access to essential medical services across the country.
