Abia State Bans Quackery and Unorthodox Glaucoma Treatments Amid Alarming Rise in Cases
The Abia State Government has outlawed quackery and unprofessional practices in the treatment of glaucoma, including the traditional method known as couching, as health experts raise urgent alarms over the disease's growing prevalence and its role as a major cause of irreversible blindness.
The announcement came during the 2026 World Glaucoma Week Symposium held in Umuahia and organized by the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau. The event brought together medical professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to promote awareness, early detection, and collective action against the "silent thief of sight."
Chairman of the symposium and ophthalmologist Dr. Abali Chuku, immediate past Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, warned that glaucoma affects an estimated 80 million people globally and remains one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. He highlighted its insidious nature, noting that about 94 percent of patients are unaware of their condition until permanent vision loss occurs.
“Glaucoma should be everyone’s concern because once blindness sets in, it cannot be reversed,” Chuku stated, urging Nigerians to prioritize regular eye examinations for early diagnosis and intervention.
In her keynote address, Professor Bernardine Nsa Ekpeyong of the University of Calabar described glaucoma as a "silent thief of sight" and cautioned against patronizing unqualified practitioners. She identified key risk factors such as advancing age, family history, diabetes, and certain cultural beliefs, while stressing strict adherence to prescribed medications and professional medical advice for those diagnosed.
During a panel discussion, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, declared that the state government had enacted decisive regulations to eliminate quackery in eye care and other medical services. He specifically banned couching and other unorthodox treatments, calling on residents to seek care exclusively from certified health facilities.
Uche noted that the South-East region records the highest glaucoma prevalence in Nigeria, making routine screening vital for residents. He praised Governor Alex Otti's administration for bolstering healthcare through expanded infrastructure, digital medical services, and improved access across the state.
“This is the time for every segment of society to unite in the fight against this devastating disease,” the commissioner said.
Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, pointed to illiteracy and quackery as major barriers to preventing avoidable blindness. She revealed that 6,321 confirmed glaucoma cases were recorded in Abia State in 2024 (with some reports citing 6,381 cases from September 2024 onward), underscoring the need for sustained awareness and early detection efforts.
Despite the challenges, Emeka-Obasi highlighted positive outcomes from the bureau's interventions, including treatment for over 20,000 patients, more than 30,000 outreach programs, and over 2,000 eye surgeries performed statewide. She commended Governor Otti for signing an Executive Order in July 2024 to ensure no resident loses sight to preventable causes.
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