By Abdullahi Jalalludeen
Sightsavers, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness and promoting disability rights, has organized a two-day media partners’ meeting in Kano, bringing together journalists from across the North-Western region.
The meeting, held at BON Hotel, aimed to strengthen collaboration between the media and Sightsavers in raising public awareness on health issues, disability inclusion, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
In her opening remarks, the Country Director of Sightsavers, Professor Joy Shuaibu, represented by the Advocacy Coordinator, Ms. Esther Bature, disclosed that the organization was founded in 1950 and has been operating in Nigeria for over 50 years.
She stated that Sightsavers currently works in several African and Asian countries with a strong focus on health, education, and disability inclusion.
“Sightsavers is committed to promoting access to quality healthcare, clean water, education, and equal opportunities for all, especially women, children, and persons with disabilities,” Bature said.
She added that the organization continues to advocate for inclusive policies that ensure people with disabilities are not left behind in employment and social development initiatives.
She emphasized that disability inclusion and the fight against neglected tropical diseases are core areas of Sightsavers’ interventions, noting that NTDs disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and hinder socio-economic progress.
Presenting a paper on Neglected Tropical Diseases, the Technical Manager for NTDs at Sightsavers, Mr. Terhemen Sunday, revealed that the organization is currently tackling the five most prevalent NTDs affecting over one billion people globally, including communities across Nigeria.
He highlighted that Sightsavers is working closely with governments and local partners to strengthen healthcare systems, ensure effective service delivery, and support mass drug administration campaigns aimed at eliminating diseases such as river blindness, trachoma, and lymphatic filariasis.
The media engagement, according to the organizers, is designed to build sustained partnerships with journalists to enhance public enlightenment, drive behavioral change, and influence policy implementation in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants at the meeting commended Sightsavers for its longstanding commitment to improving public health and pledged to use their platforms to support advocacy efforts targeted at vulnerable groups.
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