Health is wealth

Nigeria, often hailed as the “Giant of Africa,” is paradoxically a nation where poverty thrives despite its immense natural and human resources. With over 133 million Nigerians (63% of the population) classified as multidimensionally poor, the country faces a crisis that is more devastating than war—one that slowly erodes the fabric of society, leading to hunger, insecurity, poor healthcare, and lack of education. As Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, rightly put it: “Poverty is the weapon of mass destruction” because with it goes a lack of good governance, strife, civil wars, “and you end up at the end trying to apply weapons of mass destruction.” This statement resonates deeply with Nigeria’s reality. The country’s poverty crisis has fueled insecurity, weakened institutions, and left millions struggling to survive. At a time when leaders and politicians often focus on celebrations, the real focus should be on reflection and problem-solving. As...

Introduction World Glaucoma Week (March 9–15, 2025) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that can cause irreversible blindness if left untreated. This year’s theme, “Let’s Beat Invisible Glaucoma!”, highlights the silent and progressive nature of the disease, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention. Glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” because it progresses without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. By the time a person realizes something is wrong, significant and irreversible vision loss may have already occurred. This is why regular eye check-ups and increased awareness are essential in preventing blindness caused by glaucoma. Understanding Glaucoma Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. In most cases, this damage is linked to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) due to fluid buildup in the eye. ...