Group sponsors free eye screening, surgery for 500 Abuja drivers

Over 500 commercial drivers and motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have benefited from a free eye screening programme sponsored by BATMEDICS, a Tinubu support group, as part of efforts to improve road safety and expand access to healthcare.

In a statement issued on Friday by National Director, Research, Media and Strategic Communication ‎BATMEDICS, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, revealed that the exercise, held Thursday at the Abuja Medical Store (ACMS), was organised in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to mark the 2026 World Sight Day.

The statement said, beyond screening, the initiative included free prescription medications and funding for corrective eye surgeries for beneficiaries diagnosed with severe visual impairments.

Speaking at the event, BATMEDICS Director-General, Ojeje Onimisi, said the programme was designed to address healthcare challenges confronting professional drivers, whose work requires good vision and constant alertness.

Onimisi stressed that regular medical check-ups, particularly eye examinations, were essential to ensuring that drivers remained fit to perform their duties safely.

He said BATMEDICS was committed to ensuring that the intervention went beyond diagnosis by covering the cost of necessary medications and critical eye surgeries for beneficiaries requiring further treatment.

According to him, the initiative forms part of the organisation’s broader healthcare interventions targeting individuals and communities whose occupations expose them to specific health risks.

The organisation also urged motorists to prioritise their eye health and seek medical attention for symptoms such as blurred vision, night blindness and persistent eye strain, warning that untreated visual problems could compromise road safety.

Representing the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Special Duties and External Relations, Ibrahim M. Bazama, commended BATMEDICS for the partnership, describing the exercise as a timely intervention in preventing road crashes.

Bazama noted that good vision was essential for drivers to read road signs, identify pedestrians and respond appropriately to traffic situations and potential hazards.

He said early detection of visual impairments could help identify risks before they contributed to road accidents, adding that initiatives promoting regular health checks among motorists were important to improving safety on Nigerian roads.

Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the programme, noting that the free services had provided access to eye care that might otherwise have been difficult to afford.

The drivers also commended the sponsor, Seyi Tinubu, for supporting the initiative, describing it as a welcome intervention for commercial motorists who often prioritise their daily earnings over routine medical examinations.

They said the programme would encourage more drivers to take their health seriously, particularly the condition of their eyes, given its importance to safe driving.