The Federal Ministry of Health has enjoined the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria to deploy digital and other technologies to monitor the practice of optometry in the country to ensure that quacks are not given space to operate within the sector.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made the call yesterday in Abuja during the Eyeball Summit organised by the board. It was themed, “Shaping the Future of Eye Care in Nigeria: Strengthening Systems through Strategic Alliances.”
Salako called on all eye health stakeholders including government agencies, professional bodies, NGOs, private organisations and others to build strategic alliances and collaborate among themselves to build a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for eye care in Nigeria.
SPONSOR AD
He said, “By working together, we can ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their geographical location or economic status, has access to the eye care they need. These includes increasing awareness about the importance of regular eye check-ups, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and human resources is in place to support the delivery of services, promoting eye health friendly policies and providing continuous professional development training to ensure that eye health care givers are up to date in their knowledge and skills.”
Dr Salako said vision is an essential part of human existence, adding that ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality eye care is not just a matter of health, but a matter of human dignity, empowerment, and progress.
The minister said the face of rising challenges, such as the increasing burden of visual impairment, and the growing demand for eye care services, makes it evident that “we cannot address the issue of eye health in isolation.”
He said, “We must recognise the complexity of the health sector and deploy integrated and coordinated efforts to achieve lasting change.”
He also said the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the 2025 budget will be implementing the Renewed Hope Health Connect, an interventional, 100% subsidised healthcare initiative to reach vulnerable and hard to reach Nigerians in rural communities across the country.
He added that as part of the initiative, services to improve eye health including screening for refractive error, provision of prescribed glasses tagged JIGI BOLA 2.0, cataract surgeries and treatment of other medical conditions that can adversely affect eye health will be provided free of charge.
The registrar of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr Obinna Awiaka, said it was important to stay above the curve with the backdrop of rapid technological change, shifting patient needs, and complex healthcare challenges.
He said, “It is imperative that we, the custodians of vision health, stay ahead of the curve. We must constantly evolve, embracing innovation while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.”
He said the summit provides a critical platform to move that vision forward by facilitating robust intellectual exchange through sharing pioneering research, exploration of emerging trends, and cross-pollination of ideas that can revolutionise how eye care is delivered and accessed in Nigeria, as well as forging meaningful collaborations and strategic alliances, and bridging the gaps between academia, clinical practice, industry, governmental bodies, and community organisations, among others.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
