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

Football Legends to Light Up Nigeria in NICRAT’s World Soccer Legends Cancer Match

Published

4 weeks ago

September 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to witness a football spectacle as some of the world’s greatest football legends converge for the First World Soccer Legends War Against Cancer International Charity Football Match Nigeria 2026.

The star-studded event, backed by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), is designed to combine football entertainment with a major campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and mobilise resources for prevention and treatment.

The initiative, themed “Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with the official launch of the event logo, kits and a 60-day countdown to the international charity match.

The campaign is expected to feature former international football stars while bringing together cancer advocates, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders in a united effort against the disease.

Speaking on behalf of NICRAT Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Dr Margaret Sawyer said the institute was supporting the initiative because of its potential to take cancer-awareness messages to millions of Nigerians.

She said the campaign would go beyond fundraising by educating Nigerians on cancer prevention, early detection and the need to seek medical attention promptly.

According to her, football offers a unique platform for reaching diverse communities, while the influence of football legends could help deliver important health messages to a wider audience.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onu, said the event was conceived to transcend the boundaries of sport and evolve into a national and international movement against cancer.

Onu said the participation of former football stars would amplify messages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and support for patients and survivors.

He added that the event would also celebrate life, honour those who had lost their lives to cancer and inspire survivors and people currently battling the disease.

“Together, through football, compassion and collective action, we can win the War Against Cancer,” he said.

Onu called on Nigerians across the 774 local government areas to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy lifestyles, regular medical checks and early medical intervention.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, international organisations, football stakeholders, media organisations and development partners to support the initiative.

The MOC coordinator commended NICRAT, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their support.

He assured that the organising committee would deliver an event capable of meeting international standards while creating a lasting legacy in cancer awareness, advocacy, humanitarian support and sports development.

In his goodwill message, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, expressed concern over the rising global cancer burden and called for sustained action beyond the charity match.

Gumel urged the organisers to extend the campaign beyond Abuja to communities across the 36 states, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The NOC president pledged his support for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to make regular cancer screening and periodic health checks a priority.

Also speaking, Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, Dr Usman Mohammed Waziri, reaffirmed the institute’s determination to ensure that the initiative produces a positive and lasting impact on Nigeria’s cancer-control efforts.

With the 60-day countdown officially underway, organisers said the World Soccer Legends Cancer Match would combine the excitement of football with humanitarian action, using the power and influence of football legends to drive a nationwide campaign against cancer.

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