13/03/2026
Abia Leads Fight Against Preventable Blindness at World Glaucoma Week Symposium
The Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau (AEHMB) on Thursday marked World Glaucoma Week with a stakeholders’ symposium in Abia State, bringing together health leaders, policymakers and partners to intensify the fight against glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Speaking at the event, the Administrator of AEHMB, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, described glaucoma as the “silent thief of sight,” warning that many people living with the disease remain unaware of their condition until permanent vision loss has already occurred. She revealed that records from the Bureau between September 2024 to date show 6,381 confirmed glaucoma cases in Abia State, noting that the actual number may be significantly higher as many residents have not yet undergone eye screening.
She highlighted that the burden of glaucoma is worsened by illiteracy and the activities of unqualified eye care providers, as many patients initially seek treatment from untrained practitioners who administer harmful remedies before eventually presenting at proper medical facilities.
Commending the leadership and support of the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Enoch Uche, she said the state government remains committed to expanding access to quality eye care services.
Since the establishment of AEHMB through an Executive Order signed on July 15, 2024, the Bureau has made remarkable progress, including:
• Upgrading four public eye health centres
• Serving over 20,500 patients
• Conducting more than 13,500 free eye screenings
• Performing over 2,000 sight-restoring surgeries
• Operationalising 10 vision centres within Primary Health Centres across the state, with additional centres to be onboarded in a few weeks
Delivering the keynote address was renowned eye health researcher Professor Bernadine Nsa Ekpenyong, while the symposium was chaired by distinguished ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Abali Chuku, former Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre Umuahia.
The Administrator urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing free glaucoma screenings at selected Primary Health Centres across Abia State, stressing that early detection remains the most effective way to prevent glaucoma-related blindness.
During the symposium, six students drawn from nine secondary schools across the three senatorial zones of Abia State were presented with monetary awards after emerging winners in the glaucoma essay and drawing competitions organised as part of activities marking World Glaucoma Week. The students secured first to third positions in both the art and essay categories, reflecting the Bureau’s commitment to promoting glaucoma awareness among young people.
The symposium was attended by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Enoch Uche, alongside other government officials, health sector stakeholders, traditional rulers and members of the clergy.
The event forms part of activities marking World Glaucoma Week, aimed at raising awareness, promoting early detection, and ensuring that no resident of Abia State loses sight unnecessarily due to glaucoma.
Chioma Mpama
PRO
Abia state eye health management bureau
