Health

3,000 FCT residents benefit from Noor Dubai Cataract Eye Camp – CEO

Published

2 years ago

October 12, 2024

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Noor Dubai Foundation, Dr Manal Taryam, said 3,000 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents would benefit from the foundation’s first free Cataract Eye Camp.

Trayam said this at the flag-off of a 10 – day free cataract eye camp intervention sponsored by the Foundation in Abuja.
Reports have it that goal of the camp is to address eye challenges through check-up, surgeries and issuing of free eye glasses.

The Noor Dubai cataract eye camp is in collaboration with Inclusive Eye Care Foundation, DP World Foundation, Asokoro District Hospital, and the Health Services and Environment Secretariat,(HSES) FCTA.

“Noor Dubai Foundation, a Dubai based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) specialised in prevention of blindness has launched today its first eye camp in Abuja.

“The Humanitarian campaign is in collaboration with Inclusive eye care foundation a Nigerian NGO, and DP World Foundation. We have so far helped over 32 million beneficiaries in over 23 three countries.

“Today we launch our cataract camp in Abuja and this is not the first time we’ve work in Nigeria; we have had a successful programme, which is the comprehensive eye care programme in Katsina State,” Trayam said.

She saod that a gesture had been done in Kaduna.

“What is interesting is that we work on improving the infrastructure of three eye hospitals and over 250 primary care centers, vision and screening centers, and we also try to empower the staffs.

“The 10 days eye camp hosted by Asokoro District Hospital and the HSES FCTA will provide free screening and treatment to over 3,000 people including 250 cataract surgeries.

“The programme will involve screening for disabling eye diseases such as cataract, and refractive errors and providing medical treatment, eye glasses and surgery to treat common eye disorders.

“The Noor Dubai Foundation successfully concluded a comprehensive eye care programme in Katsina state which started back in 2019, and included upgrading services in three major hospitals.

“We also upgraded 250 primary health care centers and vision screening centers, the program provided nearly 12,000 successful eye surgeries, 25,000 free medical consultations and treatments, ‘’she said .

Also speaking, Dr. Gadzama Dan, Acting Director HSES FCTA Public Health Department, said that the initiative to help provide eye surgeries, glasses and check-up was laudable for the less privileged.

“This programme is focused on the less privileged people in our society, we in the health secretariat has as our mandate the responsibility to ensure that we have equity.

“ That is why we have mobilised people from the various parts of the FCT to come to Asokoro hospital to receive free cataract surgeries and other eye care treatment, ’’he said.

Other dignitaries who spoke were Dr Salamatu Belgore, the Acting Director for FCT Health Insurance Scheme, and Dr Garba Abdulrazaq, Programme Manager, Eye Care, Public Health Department FCTA/FCT.

Some of the beneficiaries of the free eye care and surgeries initiative lauded the Noor Dubai Foundation for coming to their aid as eye care treatment or surgery was expensive.

They also urged the Nigerian government to put necessary facilities in place to help in preventing eye care challenges in public hospitals in the country.

NAN

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Health

Many Nigerian Talents Wasted Due to Mental Health Challenges — Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services Boss

Published

6 days ago

May 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services, Dr. Everest Okpara, has expressed concern over the number of talented Nigerian athletes whose careers are cut short due to poor mental health support and inadequate medical care.

Dr. Okpara spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the All Federal Capital Territory Sports Associations (AFSA) and Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services.

The event was attended by representatives of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, officials of various FCT sports associations, and other stakeholders.

He noted that Nigeria continues to lose promising athletes not because of lack of talent, but due to weak healthcare systems, especially in the area of mental health and early diagnosis.

“Our athletes face a lot. Some have underlying health conditions that go undetected. If diagnosed early, many of these challenges could be managed or prevented,” he said.

Dr. Okpara stressed that leading sporting nations invest heavily in preventive healthcare and performance science, a model Nigeria must adopt to remain competitive.

“Across the world, top sporting countries prioritize preventive healthcare. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, many gifted athletes fall short of their potential due to poor mental health conditions and lack of access to proper care,” he added.

He explained that the partnership with AFSA is aimed at reversing this trend by providing athletes with access to quality healthcare services, including mental health support, early diagnosis, and continuous medical monitoring.

According to him, the collaboration will create a sustainable pathway for athletes in the FCT and beyond to improve both their physical and psychological wellbeing, ultimately enhancing performance and career longevity.

“This initiative marks a turning point in Nigeria’s sports development. It is about building a healthier sports ecosystem where athletes can thrive and compete globally,” he said.

Also speaking, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Hon. Albert Atsonka commended Everight Diagnostic for its vision and commitment to national development.

Atsonka described the facility as a centre of excellence, noting that investments in such healthcare infrastructure would significantly reduce medical tourism and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.

He said the MoU represents a strategic step toward improving athlete welfare and advancing sports development in the Federal Capital Territory.

“This partnership goes beyond business; it is a contribution to national growth. Everight’s name will be remembered in the history of sports development in the FCT,” he said, while also appreciating stakeholders like Mr. Clinton Agbor for their dedication to sports development.

In his remarks, the Director General of AFSA, Mr. Clinton Agbor, described the partnership as timely and crucial, especially in addressing issues such as doping, poor medical records, and inadequate athlete preparation.

He noted that AFSA, which oversees 48 sporting associations, is focused on grassroots development and believes early medical screening is essential for nurturing young talents.

“We must start from the grassroots. Athletes with proper medical history and care perform better. Many opportunities are lost due to failed medical tests, especially for players seeking contracts abroad,” he said.

Agbo added that the partnership would also provide subsidized healthcare services for athletes, sports officials, and journalists, while promoting education on health and fitness.

He revealed that the agreement, expected to last for an initial three years, would focus on comprehensive healthcare delivery, anti-doping awareness, and long-term athlete development.

The MoU signals a renewed commitment to integrating healthcare into sports development, with a strong focus on prevention, performance, and longevity—key factors needed to reposition Nigeria as a competitive force in global sports.

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