Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has called on Optometrists in the country to examine and seek ways of attending and arresting the spread of eye diseases among the people.
Dr. Uduaghan made the call on Thursday, July 17, 2014 while declaring open on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the 38th Annual General Meeting, AGM/Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association at Asaba, Delta State.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, urged members of the Association to use the opportunity of the conference to recognize, evaluate and assume greater role in the maintenance of the health and well-being of members of the public both locally and nationally.
According to him; ” As primary contact healthcare providers who specializes in the examination, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of the diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures, your role is really critical in the protection and maintenance of the eye. Like most other diseases, eye diseases are growing in leaps and bounds. I appeal to you that your advocacy should target our people at the grassroots”.
He noted that the theme of the conference, Advancing Optometry in Nigeria: Advocacy and Education, is most apt within the consideration that fundamental to the overall policy of public health, is the necessity to make comprehensive healthcare readily available and accessible to all segments of the population.
Dr. Uduaghan noted that the state have put in place and sustained all healthcare programmes which have helped to cushion the effect of ill health on the most vulnerable groups, especially women and children as well as ante-natal care, delivery, which include mandatory caesarean and essential laboratory test.
While noting that medical tourism has become a major revenue earner for India, Dr. Uduaghan asserted that Delta State Teaching Hospital at Oghara is being strengthen to become a centre of medical excellence, saying that his administration main goal in the health sector is to encourage medical tourism to Delta State even as the administration continue to maintain and hold all programmes put in place.
Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chuckwu, represented by the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Dr. Leo Erumuse, said the federal government is posed to determine and ensure a cordial assistance in the health sector and however regretted the present strike action in the health sector.
While assuring that the federal government is doing everything possible to see that harmony prevails in the health sector, he urged Optometrists to continue to insist and make sure that Nigerians remain adequately cared for in the management of eye services.
President, Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Dr. Ikechukwu Nwakuche in his address appreciated the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for his strides of development and appealed for the employment of Optometrists and deploys them to render service to the underserved population in Delta State.
Dr. Nwakuche noted that the theme for 2014 conference will offer a unique opportunity for professionals to attend a range of sessions that will compare practice, challenges and successes from the developing and developed Nigeria, adding that it will unveil issues regarding Legislation Execution/Implementation, Education, Practice-Management, Service Delivery and Public Health Initiatives that defines the Optometric profession.
He called on the political will of leaders and policy makers in Nigeria to create a conducive environment for Optometrists to deliver eye care service to the underserved areas making eye care easily and more accessible in Nigeria saying it will translate to creating access and expansion of Optometric services.
