BATMEDICS, a support group for President Bola Tinubu, has sponsored free eye screening, medications and corrective surgeries for about 500 commercial drivers and motorists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The initiative, organised in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), was held on Thursday at the Abuja Medical Store (ACMS), beside Jabi Park, to commemorate the 2026 World Sight Day.
In a statement made available to journalists, the National Director of Research, Media and Strategic Communication of BATMEDICS, Petra Akinti Onyegbule, said the exercise was designed to improve access to eye care among commercial drivers and promote road safety.
She added that beneficiaries diagnosed with serious visual impairments would receive free prescription medications and corrective eye surgeries funded by the organisation.
The Director-General of BATMEDICS, Ojeje Onimisi, said the intervention was aimed at addressing healthcare challenges confronting professional drivers, whose occupations require good eyesight and sustained visual alertness.
“Drivers occupy a critical position in our nation’s transport system. Regular health checks, including detailed eye examinations, must be institutionalised to ensure they are fit for the rigorous demands of their jobs,” he said.
Onimisi explained that the organisation went beyond screening by undertaking to fund necessary medications and critical eye surgeries for beneficiaries requiring further treatment.
He said the initiative was part of BATMEDICS’ broader healthcare interventions targeting vulnerable groups and communities whose occupations expose them to specific health risks.
The organisation also urged motorists to prioritise regular medical examinations, warning that symptoms such as blurred vision, night blindness and persistent eye strain should not be ignored.
Representing the FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Special Duties and External Relations, ACM Ibrahim M. Bazama, commended BATMEDICS for the partnership.
Bazama said good eyesight was essential for motorists to interpret road signs correctly, identify pedestrians and respond promptly to potential traffic hazards.
He described the intervention as a preventive measure that could help identify vision-related risks before they result in road crashes.
The exercise attracted commendation from beneficiaries, many of whom expressed appreciation for the opportunity to access eye care services that would otherwise be costly.
According to Onyegbule, the drivers also praised the initiative’s sponsor, Seyi Tinubu, for supporting the programme and bringing essential healthcare services closer to them.
The beneficiaries described the intervention as timely, noting that commercial drivers often prioritise their daily earnings over routine medical checks because of economic pressures.
