Eye Care: NOA Urges Policymakers To Integrate Optometrists Into National Eye Health Programme

The Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA) has urged policymakers to integrate optometrists into the National Eye Health Programme and primary healthcare workforces, in order to recognise their expertise in eye care delivery.

This was just as it also called on the Federal Government to grant exemption from custom import duty and value added tax on optical devices and lenses towards reducing financial burden on eye care providers and patients in the country.

The appeal was made by the President of the Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA), Dr. Chimeziri Anderson at a press conference heralding the 47th annual scientific conference/annual general meeting and vision expo, with the theme: ‘The Optometrist: An Indispensable Partner in Primary Healthcare’, and also tagged ‘Oluyole 2024’ organised by the association, holding at Jogor Event Centre, Ibadan, Oyo State from July 31 to August 3, 2024.

Anderson was supported during the press conference on Wednesday by the Vice President of NOA, Dr. Raymond Aguboshin; President of Women Optometrists in Nigeria, Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi; National Public Relations Officer of the association, Dr. Egbuluche Okechukwu; and Mrs. Amara Ifeanychukwu-Njoku of Providus Bank Plc, which is a partner financial institution with the NOA.

According to Anderson, policymakers should integrate optometrists into the National Eye Health Programme and primary healthcare workforces, in order to recognise their expertise in eye care delivery.

He also advocated direct employment of optometrists in federal health institutions with a view to addressing the brain drain and ensuring adequate eye care services in public health facilities.

Anderson stated that the scientific conference was convened “to further deepen our tenets, competence and role in eye care delivery with emphasis on strenghtening primary eye care in Nigeria.

“Over the past few years, we have noted a significant increase in efforts towards eye health by the Federal Ministry of Health. The visibility of the FMOH, has been remarkable and praiseworthy. This trend reflects the strategic vision of the current administration under His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who appointed the former boss of Primary Health Care Development Agency, to restore the faith of Nigerians in the government’s capacity to provide quality, accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare.

“phenomenon, which has resulted in the migration of skilled optometrists to other countries,” he said.

Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi, President of Women Optometrists in Nigeria, emphasized the importance of eye health in preventing avoidable blindness, saying the Oluyole 2024 programme of NOA would focus on primary health care and the importance of eye health.

“The expo aims to raise awareness about the importance of eye care and provide accessible eye health services to Nigerians. By working together, we hope to reduce the number of cases of avoidable blindness in the country,” she said.