A New Approach in Eliminating Avoidable Blindness. | Dennis Nkanga | TEDxCalabar

Every second an adult goes blind. Every minute a child goes blind. Nine out of ten blind people live in developing countries.

Nearly 1.5 million Nigerians are blind, yet 85% of this 1.5 million people are avoidably blind. There are about 9 million visually-impaired persons in Nigeria. If priority attention is not given, this number will increase by 40% over the next decade.

When lives are cut short; when ambitions are shattered; when families wallow in poverty; when national productivity decreases due to avoidable blindness - isn’t this a stain on the conscience of our generation?

Imagine what it will mean if we can preserve the sight of the 85% who are needlessly blind in Nigeria! 7.7 million people would be spared blindness and visual impairment.

Imagine what it will mean if we can prevent avoidable blindness and visual impairment from Diabetic Retinopathy! 50% of avoidable blindness burden in Cross River State would have been reduced.

But how can we eliminate avoidable blindness? Dr. Nkanga has an idea.

Is his idea ear-tingling? Jaw-dropping? Bone-shattering? Mind-blowing? Heart-wrenching?

Find out from his TEDxCalabar Talk.




Dr. Dennis Nkanga's romance with Ophthalmology was determined by fate. In 1993, he was a lone survivor among 6 others in a fatal auto crash when he led a team that conducted a survey of prevalence and causes of blindness in Enugu State, Nigeria. A pair of glasses worn by that diabetic, visually-impaired, cab driver could probably have saved lives. Thenceforth, he determined to make his life count for humankind, to light a thousand candles with whatever was left of his.

Dr. Nkanga is a Fellow of Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium; Fellow, West African College of Surgeons in Ophthalmology; member, American Academy of Ophthalmology and Transplantation Society of Nigeria; Chief Medical Director, Zerah Eye Hospital and Laser Center, Calabar; Clinical Lead, Cross River State Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment Service; Executive Director, Eye Care Africa; and former acting CMD, UniCal Teaching Hospital. He has led Eye Care teams on over 200 surgical trips.

[chroniclesofascholarinuk]

This is one of the best Ted speeches I have listened to. So touching, full of lessons and emotions.

[sandraokon]

God bless you my Dr. and pastor. The Lord will continue to uphold you with His right hand of righteousness righteousness in Jesus name. Amen

[kittuemeng]

"Let us make our lives count"
With a little kindness, we can make a lot of difference.
Thank you so much, Doctor
For sharing this with us 🤍