Eye health: a refurbished centre to bring healthcare closer to the people of Baguida

---

Extract from the article: The Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, Healthcare Coverage and Insurance inaugurated a fully refurbished and equipped ophthalmology centre in Baguida, in the commune of Golfe 1, on Thursday 17 September 2026. The ceremony, which coincided with...

---

The Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, Healthcare Coverage and Insurance inaugurated a fully refurbished and equipped ophthalmology centre in Baguida, in the commune of Golfe 1, on Thursday 17 September 2026. The ceremony, which coincided with the launch of a campaign for eye screening and cataract surgery, was presided over by the Ministry’s Secretary-General, Dr Kokou Wotobe, representing Minister Jean-Marie Koffi Ewonoule Tessi. It took place in the presence of the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Stefan Anton Messerer, and Laure Tay, representing the Director of Christian Blind Mission (CBM) for Benin and Togo.

This initiative is the result of cooperation between the Togolese Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany, with the support of CBM and its partners, notably the Social Structure Fund (SSF), as part of the programme to strengthen social structures in Togo.

Bringing healthcare closer to the people

The refurbishment and equipping of this centre are part of the authorities’ commitment to strengthening local healthcare provision and reducing barriers to access to health services.

“The refurbishment of this centre reflects a consistent focus of government policy, which is to ensure that place of residence, social status or geographical distance no longer constitute insurmountable barriers to accessing healthcare,” said the Secretary-General at the opening of the ceremony.

The centre will now provide a range of services, including screening for eye conditions, specialist consultations, patient referral, cataract surgery and post-operative care.

In addition to patient care, the facility will also serve as a centre for learning and the continuous development of skills. In particular, it will be able to accommodate trainees and professionals working in the fields of ophthalmology, optics and optometry.

Early screening to better preserve eyesight

The centre’s inauguration forms part of the launch of a campaign for eye condition screening and cataract surgery aimed at the people of Baguida and the surrounding areas.

This campaign aims to bring eye care services closer to the local population and to promote early treatment of vision problems.

“This campaign will enable the people of Baguida and the surrounding areas to benefit from local services. Eye care professionals and community workers will be mobilised around a specific objective: early detection, rapid referral, effective treatment and appropriate follow-up,” said the Secretary-General.

Cataracts are among the leading causes of preventable visual impairment and blindness. Early screening and access to appropriate care are therefore key to preserving vision and improving the quality of life of those affected.

Infrastructure for inclusion

For the authorities and partners, the challenge goes beyond simply refurbishing a building or providing modern equipment. The aim is to sustainably strengthen the health system’s capacity in the field of eye care and to prevent avoidable visual impairment.

Preventing visual impairment, restoring sight where medically possible, and providing dignified support to people living with visual impairment all contribute to promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion.

With this renovated centre, Baguida now has an infrastructure that will help improve access to eye care, whilst strengthening screening, treatment and follow-up services for the benefit of local communities.

Raymond DZAKPATA