Ado Salisu
In a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare sector, Saudi Arabia has launched a free eye care outreach program at Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos State.
The initiative, part of the “Saudi Noor” ophthalmic volunteer campaign organized by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), runs from May 20 to 27, 2025.
The program provides residents with access to essential ophthalmologic services, including eye screenings, cataract surgeries with intraocular lens implants, treatment for refractive errors, and free prescription eyeglasses.
The outreach is being carried out under the directive of Saudi Arabia’s monarch, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It reflects the Kingdom’s expanding commitment to improving healthcare in underserved regions, particularly in Nigeria, where millions continue to face limited access to specialized eye care.
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According to KSrelief, the Lagos operation is a continuation of its blindness prevention efforts in Nigeria, which began in 2019. Since then, the center has conducted over 218,000 eye examinations, performed more than 21,000 sight-restoring surgeries, and distributed over 45,000 eyeglasses.
Earlier phases of the initiative have reached communities in Yobe, Kano, and Bauchi states. The expansion to Lagos marks a deliberate step toward addressing healthcare disparities not only in rural areas but also in urban centers, where access to affordable eye care remains a challenge for many.
Gbagada General Hospital, one of the state’s leading referral centers, is currently serving as the primary site for the week-long program.
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Globally, KSrelief has carried out more than 3,400 relief projects in 107 countries since its establishment in 2015. Its eye health programs are also active in countries such as Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Mauritania.
Speaking on the initiative, Saudi Press Attaché in Nigeria, Mohammed Alsahabi, said the latest effort reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s partnership with Nigeria and its commitment to humanitarian health missions.
“This outreach is not just about restoring sight it’s about restoring hope. We are proud to support Nigeria’s efforts to combat preventable blindness,” Alsahabi said.
As patients continue to receive life-changing treatment in Lagos, the program underscores the growing importance of international collaboration in addressing global health inequities.