The Oyo State Government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have strengthened their collaboration in the health sector with renewed efforts aimed at reducing visual impairment and curbing the growing trend of medical tourism.
The initiative received a significant boost with the inauguration of the Makkah Specialist Eye Hospital in Ibadan, a modern healthcare facility financed by the AlBasar International Foundation.
The hospital is expected to improve access to specialised eye care services, reduce avoidable blindness, and position the state as a leading destination for ophthalmic treatment.
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At the commissioning ceremony, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde described the project as a major achievement in the state’s drive to provide quality and affordable healthcare services.
Governor Makinde noted that vision-related health challenges continue to affect economic productivity, social participation, and overall human development.
The administration highlighted measures already taken to strengthen eye care services, including the creation of an Eye Health Desk Office within the Directorate of Public Health and the deployment of eye health officers across all 33 local government areas to improve community-level implementation.
The state government also encouraged a strong working relationship with the hospital management, particularly in the area of health data collection and sharing, to support future planning and policy formulation.
Economic Consequences
Makinde further underscored the economic consequences of visual disabilities, especially among working-age citizens and the elderly.
He described the hospital as a valuable investment in public welfare and human capital development.
Governor Makinde was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musbau Babatunde.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, welcomed the project and praised the humanitarian contributions of the AlBasar International Foundation.
He recalled the foundation’s previous outreach programmes in Oyo State, including large-scale free eye surgeries carried out over two decades ago.
The monarch expressed satisfaction that discussions initiated years earlier had culminated in the establishment of the specialist hospital.
He stated that the facility, together with existing eye care institutions in Ibadan, would strengthen the city’s reputation as a major centre for ophthalmic services in West Africa.
Also speaking, the Secretary General of the foundation, Dr. Adel Abdulaziz Al-Rushud, described the hospital as the product of a shared commitment among government agencies, humanitarian organisations, and international partners dedicated to preventing blindness and improving eye health.
He explained that the facility was designed to complement both public and private healthcare systems to ensure wider access to quality eye care services across the region.
According to him, the contributions of several supporting organisations and donors collective efforts made the project possible.
“Healthcare professionals working at the facility were encouraged to uphold high ethical standards and combine professional expertise with compassion in serving patients,” he said.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to deserving individuals in the state for their support of the actualisation of the vision, and free eye screening, test, and surgery for hundreds of members of the public who were present.
