National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme

28/05/2026

The Coordinator, National Eye Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme, Okolo Oteri Eme and her Team, is wishing the public and partners a wonderful Eid-Al-Adha celebrations and a happy holiday.

16/05/2026

Nigeria takes the global stage on Eye Health at Seventy-Ninth World Health Assembly in Geneva!

Dr. Oteri Okolo, National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme (NESHP), Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Nigeria, will speak at a high-level side event on sustainable financing and expanding eye care through government health systems.

Dr. Okolo will spotlight Nigeria’s progress in integrated eye and sensory health services, including the impact of the Jigibola 2.0 initiative in improving access to vision screening, affordable eyeglasses, referrals and community eye health awareness for underserved populations.

Other distinguished speakers include:
• George Upenytho
• Mary-Ann Etiebet
• Abigail Steinberg
• Mallika Raghavan
• Neil Buddy Shah
• Julius Mbeya
• Peter Holland
• Stuart Keel

This global engagement reinforces Nigeria’s growing leadership in advancing universal access to eye, ear and sensory health services through innovation, partnerships and resilient health systems.

Nigeria Jigibola UniversalHealthCoverage GlobalHealth IntegratedCare SensoryHealth Geneva HealthSystemsStrengthening

16/05/2026

Exciting Global Spotlight on Eye Health at in Geneva 🇨🇭

The National Coordinator, National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme (NESHP), Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Nigeria, Dr Oteri Okolo, will participate as a speaker at a high-level side event during the Seventy-Ninth World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, Switzerland.

📅 Date: 19th May 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CEST
📍 Venue: Warwick Hotel, Geneva
🎯 Theme: Funding Opportunity: Expanding Eye Care Through Government Health Systems

The event, convened by the Livelihood Impact Fund, will bring together global leaders, governments, development partners and implementers to discuss sustainable financing models and scalable approaches for integrating eye care into government health systems.

Representing Nigeria, Dr Oteri Okolo will highlight Nigeria’s progress in strengthening integrated eye and sensory health services, with particular emphasis on the Jigibola initiative and its impact in expanding access to affordable vision care at the community level.

The Jigibola programme has continued to demonstrate how innovative partnerships and community-based delivery models can significantly improve access to eye screening, refractive services and affordable eyeglasses, especially for underserved populations.
Through integration within existing health systems and community structures, the initiative has contributed to:
• Increased access to vision screening services
• Improved uptake of corrective eyeglasses
• Enhanced community awareness on eye health
• Strengthened referral pathways for eye care services
• Support for productivity, learning and quality of life through improved vision

The Nigerian experience will provide an important case study on how countries can leverage government leadership, partnerships and innovative financing to scale sustainable eye health interventions nationwide.
Other distinguished speakers at the event include:
• Dr George Upenytho – Ministry of Health Uganda
• Dr Mary-Ann Etiebet – Vital Strategies
• Abigail Steinberg – Livelihood Impact Fund
• Mallika Raghavan – Last Mile Health
• Dr Neil Buddy Shah – Clinton Health Access Initiative
• Julius Mbeya – Lwala Community Alliance
• Peter Holland – International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
• Dr Stuart Keel – World Health Organization

The session will also introduce the Global Vision Impact Awards, a catalytic financing mechanism aimed at supporting countries advancing integrated and sustainable vision care programmes.

Nigeria’s participation at reflects the country’s growing leadership in advancing universal access to eye, ear and sensory health services and reinforces the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare’s commitment to strengthening resilient and inclusive health systems.

04/05/2026

Celebrating a New Era of Leadership in Nigerian Healthcare 🇳🇬

We proudly congratulate Prof. Afekhide Ernest Omoti on his election as President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Your emergence reflects exceptional leadership, steadfast commitment to the medical profession, and the confidence your colleagues have placed in you nationwide.

As the immediate past Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee, your visionary leadership significantly advanced eye health initiatives across Nigeria. Your impact continues to resonate within the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the broader healthcare community.

This achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for the ophthalmology community and all stakeholders in health service delivery.
We are confident that your tenure will drive meaningful progress, strengthen the welfare of medical professionals, and further improve healthcare outcomes across the country.
Wishing you a successful and impactful leadership journey.

Congratulations once again, Prof. Omoti! 👏🏽

28/04/2026

Edo State Facility Assessment
Across four days in Edo State (19–22 April 2025), the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme (NESHP) moved from policy to practice—engaging leadership, assessing health facilities, and strengthening partnerships that will shape the future of eye and ear care policies, and service delivery in the State and in Nigeria.
From Uromi to Benin City, conversations with government stakeholders, and frontline health workers focused on one goal: expanding access to quality, affordable eye and ear care for every Nigerian.
Through the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria (ESCIN) – Jigi Bola 2.0, we are not only addressing uncorrected refractive error—we are building systems:
✔ Strengthening service delivery at the facility level
✔ Preparing for vision centre scale-up
✔ Advancing sustainable Primary Eye Care integration
✔ Advocating for improved Ear care
This progress is made possible through strong collaboration with the Edo State Government and the support of our partners and funders — OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation (OSELF), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) & Livelihood Impact Fund (LIF) .
Together, we are turning commitments into action—and bringing a clear vision and good hearing within reach for millions.

05/04/2026

A bright and beautiful Easter from all of us at the Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme.

​May the love of the risen Christ embrace you. May your life be filled with the vibrant colors of spring, the sweet sounds of celebration, and the warmth of being surrounded by those you love.

We are grateful for the opportunity to help you experience the world in all its richness.
​Have a wonderful, sense-filled easter holiday!

02/04/2026

Ministerial Briefing & Press Engagement
Title: Government Commitment to Eye Health

The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, delivered a comprehensive ministerial briefing as part of activities to commemorate World Glaucoma Week 2026, themed “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World.”
He highlighted glaucoma as the “silent thief of sight” and the leading cause of irreversible blindness, responsible for about 16.7% of blindness in Nigeria. Among Nigerians aged 40 and above, approximately 5% are affected, with over 1 million people living with the condition—yet up to 90–94% remain undiagnosed or untreated.
To address this growing public health challenge, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is advancing key interventions, including:
🔹 Implementation of the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028)
🔹 Deployment of the Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines & Toolkit to standardize diagnosis and care
🔹 Nationwide training of ophthalmologists.

Key Message:
All Nigerians especially over 40 are at risk and should get eye examinations regularly. Early detection is simple, painless, and can save sight.
His call to action was directed at all stakeholders:
"Let us unite—government, health workers, media, and citizens—to reduce the burden of glaucoma and protect the vision of all Nigerians". 🇳🇬

GlaucomaFreeWorld

26/03/2026

👁️ Driving Vision Forward 🇳🇬

At the 2026 Eyeball Summit, themed “Advancing Eye Care in Nigeria: Driving Innovation and Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” stakeholders came together to shape the future of eye care.

A key highlight was the presentation by Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme (NESHP), showcasing the impact of JIGIBOLA 2.0:

• 1.5M+ people screened
• 1.4M reading glasses distributed
• 94% usage rate

Beyond the numbers, the conversation focused on integrating eye care into PHC, strengthening frontline capacity, and leveraging data for better outcomes.

With strong partnerships and continued collaboration with ODORBN, Nigeria moves closer to achieving universal eye health coverage.

What stands out to you from these milestones? 👇 Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment section.

25/03/2026

Correcting Global Presbyopia – Join the Conversation! 👓

Did you know that over 800 million people worldwide need reading glasses but don’t have access to them?
Presbyopia—an age-related loss of near vision—affects 1.8 billion people globally, often starting from age 40. Without proper correction, everyday tasks like reading, using mobile devices, or performing close work become difficult—impacting productivity, quality of life, and economic participation.
The good news? A simple pair of ready-made reading glasses—costing less than $1 to produce—can transform lives. Nigeria is one of the countries addressing presbyopia at scale with it flagship Presidential Initiative.

💡Join leading global eye health experts including our own National Coordinator as they explore innovative strategies to expand access to near-vision care.

🎙️ Featured Speakers:
• Dr. Oteri Okolo –Director/National Coordinator, National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme (NESHP), FMOH&SW, Nigeria.
Andrew Bastawrous – Professor at ICEH, LSHTM & Founder/CEO, Peek Vision (Moderator)
• Stuart Keel – Technical Officer, Blindness Prevention, WHO
• Priya Morjaria – Assistant Professor, ICEH, LSHTM & Head of Global Programme Development, Peek Vision
• Thulasiraj Ravilla – Director of Operations & Co-Founder, Aravind Eye Care System

🧠 Key discussions will cover:
✔️ Community-based delivery models
✔️ Innovative distribution approaches
✔️ Over-the-counter provision
✔️ Awareness creation & demand generation
✔️ Policy and regulatory frameworks
✔️ WHO targets and tools

📅 Date: Monday, 30 March 2026
⏰ Time: 09:00 EDT / 14:00 BST / 16:00 EAT / 18:30 IST
⏳ Duration: 1 hour

🔗 Register here:
https://lshtm.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qy9YMZJuSc24Z5jFzM95ug #/registration⁠�

Be part of the movement to improve near vision access globally.

Globally, an estimated 800 million people need reading glasses but do not have them. Presbyopia, the age-related loss of near vision, affects 1.8 billion people worldwide, typically beginning around age 40. It results from the eye’s lens losing flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close ob...

24/03/2026

Federal Ministry of Health Strengthens Inclusive Eye Care Strategy for World Glaucoma Week 2026
ABUJA.

At the Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating World Glaucoma Week 2026, the National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear and Sensory Functions Health Programme (NESHP) Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s commitment to eradicating avoidable blindness through a strategy of radical inclusivity.

Addressing the unique challenges faced by the disability community, the National Coordinator emphasized that protecting the sight of those already living with disabilities is a top priority. "It is imperative that we prevent the compounded impact of vision loss, especially from a condition as manageable as glaucoma," she stated.

To operationalize this commitment, the NESHP and partners has implemented the following:

-Facility Audits & Upgrades: developing and implementing accessibility checklists and upgrading select eye clinics to accommodate all citizens.
-Data Integrity: Transitioning to disaggregated data collection to monitor service delivery specifically for persons with disabilities.

The Ministry urges all Nigerians to undergo regular eye screenings, noting that glaucoma often presents no symptoms until permanent damage has occurred.