- Only 10 percent of the combined population of Kano and Jigawa states have normal vision, according to Dr. Atima Mayor
- The CIHE project survey found refractive error in 49% of cases in Kano, but only 26% in Jigawa, reflecting the National Blindness Survey findings
Dr Atima Mayor, a consultant ophthalmologist and paediatrician and the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the ECWA Eye Hospital in Kano has revealed that only 10 per cent of the combined population of Kano and Jigawa states have normal vision.
Dr. Mayor disclosed this during the unveiling of Information Communication and Education (ICE) materials for the Comprehensive and Inclusive Eye Health (CIHE) project in Kano and Jigawa states, sponsored by CBM UK and CBM Australia.
He highlighted that “the Nigerian National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey found that the prevalence of blindness in Nigeria is 0.78 percent, with the North West having the highest burden of blindness among the six geopolitical zones.”
In response to this burden, CBM-G, in partnership with ECWA Eye Hospital Kano, initiated a four-year comprehensive and inclusive eye health project. At the project’s inception, a survey was conducted in Kano and Jigawa states to establish evidence-based statistics for the program.
Dr Mayor stated, “The survey reflected the National Blindness Survey findings, showing that refractive error accounts for 49 per cent of cases in Kano but only 26 per cent in Jigawa. Childhood cataract prevalence is 17 percent in Kano and 26 percent in Jigawa. Congenital glaucoma affects three percent of children in Kano, compared to 12 percent in Jigawa. Corneal opacity is three percent in Kano and two percent in Jigawa. Normal vision was found in only nine percent of the population in Kano and three percent in Jigawa.”
He noted that Jigawa had a higher prevalence of childhood cataracts and congenital glaucoma than Kano, while Kano had a higher rate of refractive errors.
To address the high prevalence of blindness in these states, Dr. Mayor emphasized the need for increased awareness.