MediServe Restores Hope Through Free Eye Screening, Prescription Glasses for Underserved Nigerians in Lagos
A female-led healthcare initiative, MediServe has provided free eye screening and specially prescribed medicated glasses to underserved Nigerians in Lagos, offering renewed hope to residents living with untreated vision problems and promoting early detection of preventable eye diseases.
For many Nigerians, access to quality eye care remains a luxury, leaving thousands to live with avoidable visual impairment due to poverty, poor awareness and limited access to routine medical services. In response to this growing challenge, MediServe, a female-led healthcare initiative founded by aspiring medical students Joy Ogunsan and Soleeha Musa-Etiko, has provided free eye screening and prescription glasses to residents in Lagos.
The outreach, held at MeCure HealthCare Limited in Oshodi, brought together commercial drivers, traders, elderly residents and young people for comprehensive eye examinations conducted by professional eye care specialists.
The exercise concluded an earlier screening programme during which about 60 residents underwent detailed eye examinations. Following the assessments, 14 beneficiaries with the most urgent visual needs received specially prescribed medicated glasses tailored to their individual diagnoses.
Speaking during the event, Co-Founder of MediServe, Soleeha Musa-Etiko, said the initiative was inspired by the growing number of Nigerians living with untreated eye conditions.
"We realised that many Nigerians quietly struggle with eye problems without seeking help until the situation becomes severe. The testimonies have been deeply encouraging. Some beneficiaries told us they can now see clearly again, while others said the persistent itching they experienced has stopped. Seeing that transformation is the greatest reward for us," she said.
She explained that Oshodi was deliberately chosen for the outreach because of its large population of commercial drivers, commuters, elderly citizens and other members of the public who often lack access to regular eye care services.
Her fellow Co-Founder, Joy Ogunsan, said eye health became MediServe's first intervention after observing the increasing prevalence of preventable vision problems among Nigerians.
"We've seen many elderly people struggling with poor vision, and we've also come across cases of glaucoma and other eye diseases that often go unnoticed until they become serious. We wanted to contribute our own quota by making eye care accessible to people who ordinarily may not be able to afford it," she said.
Despite still preparing for university education, both founders said they have successfully combined their academic pursuits with fundraising, partnership development and community mobilisation to sustain the initiative. They acknowledged that institutional support was initially difficult to secure but expressed appreciation to family members, friends, sponsors and healthcare partners who supported the project.
Partnering with MediServe, MeCure Eye Centre commended the outreach for going beyond the distribution of ready-made spectacles by ensuring that each beneficiary received professionally prescribed lenses after comprehensive clinical evaluation.
Chief Optometrist at MeCure Eye Centre, Dr. Comfort Ikedieze Isaac, explained that every pair of glasses was individually produced to meet each patient's specific visual needs.
"The glasses were individually prepared to serve both distance and near vision. Many people attend eye outreaches expecting ready-made glasses, but these prescriptions were specifically designed for each beneficiary after careful examination," she said.
She also stressed the importance of regular eye examinations, warning that conditions such as glaucoma often develop silently and are only detected when significant damage has already occurred.
Beneficiaries described the intervention as life-changing.
Mr. Kelechi Okwuosa, who received prescription glasses for the first time, said he could now read comfortably after years of struggling with blurred vision.
"I used to struggle with blurred vision whenever I wanted to read. Now I can read comfortably, even on my phone. Everything is much clearer," he said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Olarenwaju Funmilayo, expressed gratitude, saying the glasses had restored her ability to see clearly after years of blurred vision.
Fourteen-year-old Muiz Balogun also reported a significant reduction in the persistent itching that had affected his eyes after receiving his prescription glasses.
Looking ahead, the founders said they plan to develop MediServe into a fully established non-profit healthcare organisation that will extend quality healthcare services to underserved communities across Nigeria. Their long-term vision includes expanding into other areas of healthcare, building a nationwide volunteer network and eventually establishing a hospital dedicated to accessible and equitable healthcare.
Among dignitaries present during the distribution of the prescription glasses were the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Executive Hotel and Suites, Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan; Consultant Ophthalmologist at MeCure, Dr. Sunday Alabi; and Nurse Manager at MeCure, Mrs. Gloria Odok, alongside other guests.
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