Dr. Kunle Hassan, FRCS, FRCOph, FWACS, FNICM, is an internationally acclaimed Ophthalmic Surgeon with wide experience in Vitreo-Retina Surgery, Glaucoma, Anterior Segment, Cataract and Ocular Plastic Surgery. He graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria, in 1976. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeon, Glasgow, UK, Royal College of Ophthalmologist, UK, West African College of Surgeons and the Nigeria Institute of Cost Management. He was trained at the prestigious Tenneth Institute of Ophthalmology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, under Professor Wallace Foulds.
His training and experience span over Europe, America, Middle East and Africa. He established the Eye Foundation Hospital as the first private postgraduate training institution in Nigeria in 1993 and the Deseret Community Vision Institute in 2006. These two institutions have trained over 50 ophthalmologists, community ophthalmic nurses, and other middle manpower ophthalmic professionals.
He is the pioneer leader of modern ophthalmological practice, including Vitreo-Retinal Surgery in Nigeria. Dr. Hassan revolutionised Eye Health Care through Private-Public-Partnership, making quantitative and qualitative eye care available for the rich and the less privileged. He pioneered the first private group practice in ophthalmology in Nigeria. He is a member of many professional and academic bodies, including serving as President, African Ophthalmology Council; Board Member, International Council of Ophthalmology; International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) Regional Advocacy Coordinator for Africa (2007); International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) Advocacy Representative for Nigeria (2007); Council Member, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB/WHO); Member and African Representative on the AAO/ICO/WHO-sponsored Global Diabetic Retinopathy Classification Project.
Dr. Hassan is a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Cost Management. He is a board member of Diamond Bank Plc., Nigeria, and Chairman, Board of Directors Summit Healthcare Group of Companies, as well as Board member of Health Partners (HMO) and Deseret International Hospital. He has over 100 publications, scientific papers and research papers to his honour, and has over the years received more than 30 academic, professional and society awards for his contribution towards different spheres of life. He was awarded the Rotary Paul Harris Award in recognition of his contribution to the Rotary Eye Care projects in Nigeria even though he is not a Rotarian. He is a quiet philanthropist.
