A large crowd gathered at Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital in Ibadan on Friday as the Saudi Noor Ophthalmic Volunteer Programme, sponsored by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), officially commenced in the Oyo State capital.

The humanitarian initiative, scheduled to run until August 7, will provide free, high-impact eye care services to residents of Ibadan and nearby communities.

The services include advanced diagnostic screenings, cataract surgeries, treatment of refractive errors and the distribution of prescription eyeglasses.

The outreach is being implemented under the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in collaboration with Al Basar International Foundation, KSrelief’s partner organisation.

Speaking, Dr. Muhydeen Albadawi, Regional Director (West Africa) of Al Basar International Foundation, said the initiative is part of the foundation’s global mission to prevent avoidable blindness, particularly in underserved regions.

According to Dr. Albadawi, the outreach will be inclusive and accessible to all eligible patients, regardless of religion or ethnicity.

“This outreach programme is designed to address cataract and glaucoma cases, as well as other eye conditions. We plan to perform surgeries on 400 patients and screen no fewer than 5,000 others,” he said.

“Al Basar has been conducting outreach missions like this in Ibadan since 1995. So far, we have covered most Nigerian states. This year, our programmes will take place in five states, Oyo, Lagos, Yobe, Bauchi, and Kano.”

Dr. Albadawi expressed gratitude to the Nigerian government for its longstanding support.

“In particular, we thank the government of Oyo State and its Ministry of Health for their continuous cooperation since 1995. They have always recognised and supported our mission whenever we visit,” he noted.

“We used to hold these programmes at the state hospital in Ring Road, Ibadan. Later, they approved our current centre and permitted us to carry out our free medical services here. We are deeply grateful and hopeful that this collaboration will continue for the benefit of the people,” he added. (Nigerian Tribune)