Health
3,000 FCT residents benefit from Noor Dubai Cataract Eye Camp – CEO
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
Health
Nigerian Scholar Pioneers Plant-Based Nutrition Breakthrough for Elderly Care
Joel Ajayi
A Nigerian academic is making promising strides in global nutrition research, bringing hope for improved dietary care for elderly patients with high cholesterol.
Feyisola Fisayo Ajayi, a lecturer at the Federal University Gashua in Yobe State and a PhD student at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), recently completed a research visit to the Department of Food Science at Purdue University in the United States. Her work focuses on developing innovative, plant-based nutritional solutions tailored to the needs of older adults living with hypercholesterolemia.
During her time at Purdue, Ajayi investigated the development of a novel plant protein–derived nutritional hydrogel designed to make cholesterol-lowering nutrients easier and more appealing for elderly patients to consume. Research has shown that many older adults struggle with powdered nutraceuticals due to reduced appetite, diminished taste sensitivity, and a weakened sense of smell. Ajayi’s work offers a practical alternative.
The plant-based hydrogel she is developing has a unique thermo-reversible property: it remains solid at room temperature but melts when exposed to higher temperatures. This makes it an effective and user-friendly vehicle for delivering cholesterol-lowering bioactive compounds.
“This hydrogel is unique because it combines functionality with acceptability,” Ajayi explained. “By incorporating plant proteins into a thermo-reversible structure, we can create a product that is both effective and appealing for elderly patients who need reliable dietary interventions.”
Her research at Purdue includes detailed analyses of the hydrogel’s physicochemical characteristics, stability, and rheological behavior. In addition, in-vitro digestion studies are being conducted to assess how effectively the hydrogel can deliver essential bioactive compounds during digestion.
Ajayi’s work aligns with global efforts to promote sustainable, plant-based, and functional food solutions, particularly for vulnerable populations. Her research contributes to the growing field of functional foods and protein chemistry, with potential applications in clinical nutrition and long-term dietary management.
Beyond the scientific impact, her visit to Purdue University highlights the value of international academic collaboration in addressing complex health and nutrition challenges. As she continues her doctoral research at UAEU, Ajayi hopes to translate her findings into practical nutritional products that can benefit elderly populations in Nigeria, the UAE, and beyond.
Her achievements underscore the power of cross-border research and academic exchange programs in driving innovation. With scholars like Ajayi leading the way, the future of functional, plant-based nutrition solutions looks increasingly bright.
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