The Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, has been commended following the success of the hospital’s ongoing Cataract Screening and Subsidized Surgery Programme organized by the Department of Ophthalmology.
The programme has recorded a large turnout of patients seeking eye care services, reflecting the growing demand for accessible and affordable treatment for vision-related conditions.
Within just three days, from March 4 to March 6, 2026, more than 1,000 individuals were screened for cataracts and other eye conditions at the facility.
Patients from across the South-South region of Nigeria have been trooping to the hospital to take advantage of the initiative, underscoring the strong reputation of UBTH in delivering specialized eye care services.
The programme provides free eye consultations and screenings, while patients diagnosed with cataracts are offered subsidized surgical procedures to restore their vision.
Medical experts say the initiative has significantly improved access to essential eye care, particularly for patients who might otherwise be unable to afford the cost of surgery.
Beneficiaries of the programme expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that the initiative has restored hope and improved the quality of life for many people suffering from impaired vision.
The Cataract Screening and Subsidized Surgery Programme is also seen as part of ongoing efforts to expand access to healthcare services under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.