The Federal Government has announced plans to leverage artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to expand access to quality eye care in rural and underserved communities.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, disclosed this as part of renewed efforts to tackle preventable blindness and improve eye health nationwide.

Salako said the government would deploy artificial intelligence, tele-ophthalmology, digital screening tools and other technologies to take eye care beyond tertiary hospitals and urban centres.

The initiative is expected to extend services to primary healthcare facilities, allowing more Nigerians in underserved areas to access screening and early diagnosis.

The Federal Government also announced plans to provide five million free pairs of spectacles to Nigerians by the end of 2027.

It is equally targeting 25,000 cataract surgeries within the same period as part of efforts to reduce avoidable blindness and restore the sight of affected Nigerians.

The ministry said the use of emerging technologies would support wider coverage and help overcome some of the challenges associated with limited access to specialised eye-care services.

The government’s approach is expected to strengthen the integration of eye health services into primary healthcare and bring essential services closer to rural communities.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to improve healthcare access and reduce inequalities between urban and rural populations.

The government said continued investment in technology, infrastructure and healthcare personnel would be important to achieving its eye-care targets by 2027.