Dr Adekunle Hassan, Chief Medical Director of Eye Foundation Hospital Group, has endowed the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, with N1 billion to establish the Kunle Hassan Eye Foundation Academy and the International Institute of Eye Health.
Speaking during the foundation-laying ceremony, the renowned ophthalmic surgeon said the initiative aims to address Nigeria’s critical shortage of eye care professionals and reduce preventable blindness nationwide.
Hassan noted that between four and six million Nigerians suffer various eye conditions, with a staggering ratio of one ophthalmologist to about 500,000 patients, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of one to 15,000.
He said the new institute will train students up to the PhD level and produce middle-level manpower to serve rural and underserved areas through technology and telemedicine.
“The cost of blindness is enormous. By curbing it, we improve productivity and national prosperity,” he said, urging more public-private partnerships in healthcare.
Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof Ayodeji Agboola, praised Hassan’s vision, confirming that the N1 billion endowment has been fully paid into the university’s account.
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