…patient undergoing free cataract surgery by VCDFs team.
The bright surgical lights at the Cataract Surgery Unit extension in Central Hospital Kwale beamed brighter as Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF)s team restored vision to patients. This marked the start of free cataract surgeries conducted by VCDFs eye surgery team. The 2024 Nigeria National Eye Health Survey highlights that cataracts cause 44% of blindness cases in Nigeria, where over 1.1 million people live with vision impairment. In Delta State, untreated cataracts affect more than 25,000 residents.
In response, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) partnered with the Delta State Ministry of Health and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to commence surgeries at the Cataract Surgery Unit (CSU) under the Sustainable Primary Eye Care Services (SPECS) Programme. The SPECS – Cataract Surgery Unit is fully supported by Sterling Exploration and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO).
Leading to cataract surgeries done, training on primary care service delivery was done to strengthen health workers’ capacity and public health system. It is noteworthy that 87 health workers were trained and 2,447 people were screened during 62 screening camps held in Delta State.
On 26th February 2026, VCDF successfully conducted its first cataract surgeries at Central Hospital Kwale, serving beneficiaries from Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West communities of Delta State.
The SPECS-CSU surgery process is well organized. VCDFs health team conducts patient screenings in the communities and transports them to the CSU, where certified ophthalmologists conduct pre-operative assessments and perform free cataract surgeries. After surgery, patients receive medications and protective eye shields. Follow-up visits are arranged for all patients to ensure optimal recovery and care.
The outreach for cataract surgeries has attracted large participation from both young and elderly residents seeking eye screenings, treatment, and surgical care services in Delta. Key participants highlight the real impact on the community.
High Chief Engr. Godwin Ifeanyi Edema, a senior community Chief from Utagba-Ogbe Kingdom in Kwale shared ‘‘VCDF has brought specialized eye care directly to our people. The impact is immediate and life changing.
Emeke Odigili, a beneficiary shared: I had almost lost hope of seeing clearly again. Today, I had free cataract surgery. I am grateful to VCDF.
Dr. Ernest Ogbedo, an Ophthalmologist at VCDFs SPECS-CSU added: Cataract remains one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness, and timely surgery can completely restore vision. To date, the team has conducted 113 successful surgeries in Delta State.”
Philip Ukemezia, VCDFs Programmes Manager said, Today marks a major milestone for VCDF as we restore sight and dignity to residents of 9 LGAs of Akwa Ibom, and Delta. VCDF has leveraged SEEPCOs corporate social responsibility efforts to screen 11,858 and over 1,070 successful cataract and pterygium surgeries. VCDF has plans to provide free eye surgery services in neighboring LGAs and states.
The commencement of free cataract surgeries by VCDFs team in Delta reaffirms the foundations commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality, and sustainable eye health services in Nigeria.