₦3bn Eye-Care Upgrade: NEDC Trains Specialists, Boosts Maiduguri Hospital’s Capacity to Tackle Preventable Blindness
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has commenced a two-week Ophthalmology Equipment Set-Up and Training Programme at the Maiduguri Eye Hospital, Borno State, following the deployment of advanced eye-care equipment valued at over ₦3 billion.
The programme, which began on Monday, marks a critical intervention aimed at strengthening specialist healthcare delivery and reducing the burden of preventable blindness across the North-East region.
On the first day, activities focused on the installation, calibration, and coupling of the state-of-the-art ophthalmic equipment, alongside the start of intensive hands-on technical and clinical training designed to ensure optimal and sustainable use of the facilities.
The training is being led by the Chief Consultant in Ophthalmology, Prof. Abdull Mohammed Mahdi, with support from Dr. Abuh Sunday and a multidisciplinary team of ophthalmology and biomedical engineering experts.
Participants drawn from the Maiduguri Eye Hospital and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) include consultant ophthalmologists, resident doctors, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists, and biomedical engineers. They are undergoing practical sessions on equipment operation, routine maintenance, and efficient clinical application.
According to the NEDC, the intervention will significantly enhance the hospital’s diagnostic and surgical capacity, particularly in the management of cataract and glaucoma, two leading causes of avoidable blindness in the region. The Commission noted that the initiative supports its long-term plan to reposition the Maiduguri Eye Hospital as a regional centre of excellence for eye care.
Beyond equipment deployment, the Commission is also undertaking extensive renovations and infrastructure upgrades at the hospital to support modern clinical operations and improve patient experience.
READ ALSO: Apapa Fuel Scooping:NOA DG Condemns, Calls for Law to Criminalise Practice
FG Denies Federal Character Breach, Says Lagos Gold Refinery Is Privately Owned
The NEDC added that similar ophthalmic interventions are ongoing across the North-East, including the construction of an ultra-modern Eye Institute at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi State. The project, which commenced last year, is expected to witness accelerated implementation this year.
Describing the initiative as a strategic investment, the Commission said the ₦3 billion intervention combines advanced medical infrastructure with targeted human capacity development, and is expected to deliver lasting improvements in access to quality eye-care services across the region.
About The Author
