Group Launches N3.5bn Appeal Fund For Hospital, A Research Centre In Abuja

The Lions Clubs International District 404, Nigeria has initiated the construction of a world-class Eye Care Hospital, Diabetes and Cancer Research Centre in Abuja, Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement by the

Project Director, Lanre Adebayo, Stated that the project was aimed at addressing an area of the severe gap in Nigeria’s healthcare system, adding that it would also complement existing public health infrastructure in the Country.

According to him, an estimated 1.13 million Nigerians are currently blind while 4.25 million adults are partially blind noting that the prevalence rate was higher in the Northern states.

He stressed that two major causes of blindness included cataracts and glaucoma, adding that these were preventable.

The Release noted that eye care service for Nigeria’s population was grossly inadequate, adding that this was the reason for the intervention of the Lions Clubs International to support this aspect of the health sector.

He noted that the Eye Care Hospital, Diabetes and Cancer Centre was conceived to be world-class which would cater both for the poor and rich, adding that it would feature a health extension service especially to accommodate the rural poor.

“The hospital will feature the first Eye Bank in Nigeria while reducing incidences of avoidable childhood and old age-related blindness. It would also establish a global standard research centre on diabetes and childhood cancer in Nigeria.

“In pursuance of its goal of raising a sum of N3.5M for the Project, the Lions Clubs is appointing project Champions whose responsibilities include personal and corporate donations to the project which the Project Director described as arguably one of the most outstanding and unprecedented humanitarian interventions in the Country.

He stressed that there are several benefits for donors including naming specific components after such donors. Other benefits are the award Melvinvon Jones Fellowship, Knight of the Blind, a place of mention in the Donors Hall of Fame in the Hospital, as well as the Lions Clubs Eye Care Ambassadors.

“Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organisation with about 1.35 Million members in more than 206 Countries. Founded in 1917, the Club has been identified globally for its fight against blindness. Recently, it expanded the scope of its work to include care for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding the seniors and the disabled. The Lions was introduced in Nigeria in 1963. The Nigerian chapter has continued to function effectively as part of this global service network while helping local communities.”

The Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, Lion Engr. H.O. B Lawal urged public-spirited individuals and corporations to donate towards the construction of this unprecedented humanitarian project.

Also speaking on the Project, the Secretary of the Project Steering Committee, Dr.(Mrs) Lami O. Ahmed, the Eye Hospital Project, the Club has provided over 25% of the entire project cost by securing more than one hectare of land, adding that the Building Plan of the Project has been approved by the Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

She further stated that the Project, when completed, would not only expand the scope and quality of eye care service in the country but save the country a lot of foreign exchange which is currently being spent on foreign treatment.