Over 20,000 visually impaired Nigerians have successfully undergone free corrective surgery. His power of sight was restored through the priceless gift of First City Memorial Bank (FCMB) initiative in partnership with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF). In total, more than 350,000 Nigerians in Cross River, Ogun, Kebbi, Imo, Abuja, Katsina and Adamawa, among other states, have benefited from free tests, optical services, surgeries, free glasses and eye disease management through this initiative.
Praising FCMB and TCF, Stephen Oyedokun, a beneficiary of the free eye surgery, said, “For many years, I have been using glasses. But suddenly, in April 2021, I felt my eyesight deteriorating , and I couldn’t see things properly. The condition was getting worse and it was affecting everything I was doing. Then I heard about the Primal’s Gift of Sight program. Going to the hospital for evaluation After that, my surgery was done successfully. Everything was free. Today, I have got my eyes and life back. I wholeheartedly appreciate FCMB and Tulsi Chanrai Foundation for taking people from darkness to light.
Another beneficiary, Helen Simon expressed her gratitude to FCMB for restoring her sight and giving her the opportunity to move on with her life. The trader revealed that she was suffering from a severe eye defect and was losing hope until a neighbor informed her about the Precious Gifts vision programme.
Yemisi Edun, Managing Director of FCMB.
“Initially, I was skeptical about the program. It was unrealistic for organizations to do free eye surgery for people. So I went elsewhere for treatment, but the problem got worse. It didn’t get better. I returned to my neighbor, who directed me to be taken to Tulsi Chanerai Hospital, where he examined me and recommended surgery. I had a successful eye operation, and my happiness is limitless now. I thought they would ask for money, but to my surprise everything was free. We were given free food, bed and medicines. Later I came to know that it was a bank named FCMB which sponsored our surgery and everything. I don’t know how to thank FCMB, but I know God will reward the bank more.”
Also read: Court remands FCMB staff In EFCC custody for stealing customer’s money
FCMB started Priceless Gifts in 2009. The Bank aims to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness and unnecessary visual loss in rural and semi-urban communities of Nigeria. First City Monument Bank’s implementation partner is the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, a leading non-governmental organization working to increase the availability and affordability of health care services in remote areas of Nigeria. The three focus areas of TCF are restoring vision, ensuring access to primary health care and providing safe drinking water.
Arun Blasi, administrator of TCF Eye Hospital in Abuja, said, “We have worked with FCMB for fourteen years. It has been a very healthy relationship, which has benefited thousands of people. With the bank’s support, we have achieved 20,000 successful eye surgeries. Have performed surgeries and reached over 30,000 outpatients. We thank First City Monument Bank for their support over the years and request that the bank continue to work with us to improve people’s lives. “
According to Blasi, the foundation visits communities across Nigeria for eye screening outreach programs. It takes people who are found to have eye defects and admits them for two to three days for further tests and surgery. During this period, the Foundation provides for all their medical needs including food. After surgery and monitoring, they are discharged and sent back home. The complete cycle is completed at no cost to the patients.
FCMB Group Chief Executive Ladi Balogun said blindness is a disability that often results in loss of income and extreme poverty. Simply because it restricts mobility, leads to social isolation, poor mental health and limited access to information. He called for better advocacy and the need to make eye care an integral part of universal health coverage.
In fact, nearly 90 percent of blind people are in the world’s poorest countries, showing how unnecessary blindness prevents social and economic reform. A recent report by the Unite for Sight Foundation concluded that poverty breeds blindness and blindness breeds poverty. Blindness deprives most of its sufferers of productive powers. As a result, they will likely be driven into poverty, unable to provide for themselves and their families.
FCMB Managing Director Yemisi Adun disclosed that there are over one million blind adults living in Nigeria. There is a need to prevent more becoming blind because they cannot access eye care given the precious gift of sight, which has flattened the curve, he said.
“We are delighted that the invaluable gift of sight is bridging the gap, preventing avoidable blindness, and restoring sight to underprivileged and low-income Nigerians. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the beneficiaries. Thank you Tulsi Chanrai Foundation for partnering with us to help people regain their eyesight and lead productive lives.
In Nigeria, blindness remains one of the most neglected health challenges, despite its downward spiral into increasing poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that one person’s vision loss affects four other persons who spend productive periods of their lives as caregivers of blind persons. Hence, they cannot lead a quality life as they have to take care of a blind family member.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for intervention from healthcare stakeholders, development partners and well-intentioned private sector operators willing to follow in the footsteps of First City Monument Bank. In addition, healthcare stakeholders should create programs to address the challenge of blindness in the country.
