Hundreds of residents in Delta State are regaining their sight as Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), with support from Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited, commenced free cataract surgeries at Central Hospital, Kwale.
The initiative, implemented under the Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services (SPECS) Programme, is in partnership with the Delta State Ministry of Health and targets communities with limited access to specialized eye care.
Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness in Nigeria, accounting for about 44 percent of cases, with over 1.1 million people affected nationwide. In Delta State alone, more than 25,000 residents suffer from untreated cataracts.
To tackle this, VCDF established a Cataract Surgery Unit (CSU) at Central Hospital Kwale, where certified ophthalmologists perform free surgeries. Prior to the surgical phase, the programme trained 87 health workers and screened 2,447 residents across 62 outreach camps.
On February 26, 2026, the foundation carried out its first round of surgeries, benefiting patients from Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas.
The process involves community-based screenings, transportation of patients to the CSU, pre-operative assessments, surgical procedures, and post-operative care, including medication and follow-up visits.
Community leaders and beneficiaries have praised the intervention for its life-changing impact.
A community chief, High Chief Godwin Ifeanyi Edema, described the programme as transformative, noting that it has brought specialized eye care directly to the people.
One of the beneficiaries, Emeke Odigili, expressed gratitude after regaining vision, saying the surgery restored hope after years of impaired sight.
According to Dr. Ernest Ogbedo, an ophthalmologist with the programme, cataract is a leading but treatable cause of blindness, adding that over 113 successful surgeries have already been conducted in Delta State.
VCDF’s Programmes Manager, Philip Ukemezia, said the initiative builds on the foundation’s broader impact, which includes screening over 11,800 people and conducting more than 1,070 eye surgeries across Delta and Akwa Ibom States.
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He added that plans are underway to expand the free eye care services to more local government areas and neighbouring states.
The initiative underscores VCDF’s commitment to improving access to quality and sustainable eye care services, particularly for underserved communities in Nigeria.
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