By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The federal government on Tuesday sealed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with global eye-health technology leader Peek Vision to offer eye care services under Universal Health Coverage, UHC, at primary healthcare as a major step toward eliminating avoidable blindness.
The agreement, was signed in Abuja by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako and Peek Vision, to formalize a nationwide partnership to deploy digital tools for eye screening, strengthen primary healthcare capacity, and ensure real-time data use for decision-making across Nigeria’s eye-health system.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the partnership marks “a crucial milestone in our collective journey toward achieving Universal Health Coverage.”
According to him, millions of Nigerians still suffer preventable visual impairment, mostly due to cataracts, uncorrected refractive errors, and glaucoma, conditions worsened by poor access to eye care in rural communities.
“We are embracing the digital revolution,” Dr. Salako said. “Peek Vision has created simple, scalable tools that can turn a smartphone into a medical device, enabling healthcare workers, teachers, and community agents to conduct accurate screening and connect patients to timely treatment, even in remote communities.”
The minister explained that the basics of the MoU are three commitments, namely digital screening supported by robust national data systems; training and capacity building for primary healthcare workers and teachers; and a complete, sustainable care pathway to ensure screened individuals receive appropriate treatment without falling through gaps.
Dr. Salako described the agreement as “a covenant for a healthier future,” fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Health Policy and the National Strategic Eye Health Development Plan.
He emphasized that the ministry will provide regulatory oversight, infrastructure, and human resources to ensure the digital interventions are impactful and scalable.
Representing Permanent Secretary Kachallom Daju mni, Director of Public Health Department FMoHSW was Dr. Godwin Ntadom who said the MoU reflects the ministry’s deliberate strategy to strengthen primary healthcare with technology-driven, high-impact interventions.
“This partnership is not just about signing a document; it is a collaborative blueprint to increase access to eye-care services, especially for underserved populations,” he said. He added that combining the ministry’s national reach with Peek Vision’s innovation would move Nigeria closer to eliminating avoidable vision loss.”
Addressing journalists after the signing, Peek Vision CEO Prof. Andrew Bastawrous said the technology enables healthcare workers to reach people “at the last mile,” those who often never visit health facilities due to fear, cost, or lack of awareness.
“Many people in rural, low-income communities don’t know they can be treated or don’t know where to go. Our tools allow screening at homes, schools, or workplaces, so you don’t have to wait for people to come,” he said.
He explained how Peek’s data platform helps identify barriers to treatment, track referrals, and ensure no patient is left behind, recalling how accurate data once revealed that a mistranslated word, interpreted as “butchery” instead of “surgery,” kept patients from care.
“The reason we’re signing this agreement today is to make sure this technology is available across Nigeria. There are close to 25 million people waiting whose vision can improve if we act,” he said.
The implementation begins immediately, supported by partners including Sightsavers, CBN, and Manhattan.
However, a new programme is already screening 5,000 people and aims to reach 1.2 million schoolchildren over two years.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of the Public Health Department, Dr. Oteri Okolo, National Coordinator of the National Eye, Ear, and Sensory Functions Programme Division FMoHSW; praised the collaboration as a decisive step toward preventing avoidable blindness in Nigeria. itnessed marks the beginning of a purposeful journey to advance eye health for the greater good of our nation,” she said.
With this partnership, the federal government says it is investing not only in technology but also in dignity, productivity, and opportunity for millions of Nigerians at risk of vision loss.
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