{
  "id": 1843556,
  "title": "Cataract leading cause of blindness in Jigawa –Survey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/cataract-leading-cause-of-blindness-in-jigawa-survey",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-19T01:33:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Chronicle Ghana",
    "slug": "the-chronicle-ghana",
    "url": "https://thechronicle.com.gh/cataract-leading-cause-of-blindness-in-jigawa-survey/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent eye health survey in Jigawa State has revealed that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the region, accounting for 40.8% of all blindness cases. Dr Tafida Abubakar, an eye consultant, presented the findings at a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB7) dissemination meeting in Jigawa State. Glaucoma and corneal opacities were the next most common causes, each accounting for 23.6% and 21.1% of blindness cases respectively. Cataract surgical complications represented 8.3% of the cases. The overall prevalence of bilateral blindness was found to be 2.9%, affecting approximately 19,638 people, while unilateral blindness stood at 3.9%, impacting an estimated 27,026 individuals. The survey also identified a significant backlog of 36,623 people requiring cataract surgery. Unfortunately, cataract surgical coverage in Jigawa State is currently at just 34.9%, far below the World Health Organisation's recommended target of at least 80%.",
  "summary": "Cataract has been identified as the leading cause of blindness in Jigawa State, accounting for 40.8 per cent of blindness cases, according to a state-wide eye health survey. The survey findings were presented by an eye consultant, Dr Tafida Abubakar, during a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB7) dissemination meeting in Jigawa State on Tuesday. According […] The post Cataract leading…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Cataract leading cause of blindness in Jigawa – Survey",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/cataract-leading-cause-of-blindness-in-jigawa-survey",
        "published": "2026-08-18T15:08:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}