From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigerian Optometric Association(NOA), the umbrella body of eye doctors (Optometrists) in Nigeria, has appealedfor an import waiver for its working tools known as ophthalmic equipment.
It appealed to the President, BolaAhmed Tinubu, to extend the waivers granted to pharmaceutical products to eyecare equipment and supplies, in order to make eye services available andaffordable to the people.
These were contained in a communiqueissued at the end of the 47th National Conference/Annual General Meeting of theNigerian Optometric Association (NOA). Dr. Anderson Chimeziri and Dr.VictorKelechi Aliche, President and Secretary, respectively, jointly signed thecommunique.
The conference brought togetheroptometrists, healthcare professionals, and all other stakeholders to discussthe critical role of optometrists in Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery inNigeria.
Over 1,500 delegates participated ina hybrid format seamlessly blending in-person and virtual attendance, to sharethe knowledge, ideas and best practices in the field of optometry and primaryhealthcare.
The pre-conference workshops focusedon Binocular Vision Anomalies and Research methodology. Various faculties of theNigerian Postgraduate College of Optometry equally took opportunities duringthe conference to hold their meetings.
At the conference, NOA emphasizedthe need for increased collaboration between optometrists, healthcareprofessionals, and all other stakeholders to strengthen primary healthcareservices delivery. “This will further prevent blindness and promote eyehealth.”
The Association called for expansionof National Health Insurance Services (NHIS) to allow the inclusion of moreoptometrists and optometric services to expand access to eye care services.
It also advocated the establishmentof an Optometry Department in all Federal and State tertiary Institutions toenhance education, research and clinical practice in optometry.
The association further reinforcedits unwavering dedication and the steadfast commitment of its members toproviding exceptional patient- centered eye care services, thereby contributingsignificantly to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and therealization of optimal visual health for all Nigerians.
It recognized the efforts of theFederal Government through the office of the Co-ordinating HonourableMinisters for Health and Social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate and Dr. TunjiAlausa, in improving the health indices especially of the primary healthcaresystem in Nigeria. “Nevertheless, the current State of primary health carefacilities in Nigeria is not encouraging. Something should be done to improveon what’s currently obtained.”