Presidency seeks actionable strategies to strengthen health systems

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health Matters , Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas has called for actionable strategies to strengthen the nation’s health system in order to achieve universal eye care coverage.

She emphasized the need to integrated eye care  services into the primary healthcare delivery in order to provide access to many Nigerians who are in need of improved vision but lack access to quality eye care.

Speaking at the Eyeball Summit organised by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria ( ODORBN)
in collaboration of the  federal ministry of health and Social Welfare, Anas noted that without good eye health, there will be no meaningful national development hence the inclusion of healthcare as a critical component of Nigeria’s development agenda.

She expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system through innovation, partnerships and equitable access to services.

Anas noted that the theme of the summit, Driving innovation and Partnership for Sustainable Development aligns with the national goal of health equity adding that sustainable financing models, innovation in optical care and universal health coverage are realities that the government must pursue.

She said, “They are essential for creating a healthier, more productive society. Without idea, without health, we can never have a meaningful development. So health is a critical component of our national development. It is my sincere hope that the outcomes of this summit will inspire actionable strategies to strengthen our health system and bring us together to achieve universal eye care coverage”.

She urged the board to remain mindful that behind every policy, innovation and investment are millions of Nigerians whose lives can be transformed through improved vision and access to quality healthcare.

Also speaking, the Registrar, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr. Obinna Awiaka, said that eye health is increasingly recognized as a critical component of public health, economic productivity and social well being.

He observed that vision impairments and avoidable blindness remains significantly global challenges, and  that Nigeria, like many developing nations, continue to face substantial gaps in access to quality eye care services.

Awiaka lamented that Millions of Nigerians still live with preventable or treatable visual impairment due to limited access to professional eye care services, inadequate awareness, insufficient infrastructure and uneven distribution of eye care professionals across urban and rural communities.

He said, “In fact, what we are having right now is that even in the urban area, we are having very uneven distribution as a result of Japa syndrome, millions of Nigeria still live with preventable and treatable visual impairment due to limited access to professional eye care services, inadequate awareness, insufficient infrastructure and uneven distribution of eye care professionals, is what we face”.

Awiaka called for a bold thinking and strategic reform platform and, innovative approach that will transform the way eye care services are delivered across the country.

The Registrar emphasized that Innovation will play a critical role in this transformation, pointing out that advances in diagnostic technologies, tele optometry, artificial intelligence, digital health platform and optical manufacturing are rapidly reshaping the global eye care landscape.

He noted that the Summit serves as a national convergence point for thought leadership, innovation, investment and policy dialogue within eye care sector and provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, explore emerging technologies and develop partnership that can accelerate progress towards accessible and sustainable eye care systems in Nigeria,

Awiaka stated that this Second Edition builds upon the success of the inaugural summit and reflects ODORBN”s  continued commitment to deepening conversations that will shape the future of eye care delivery in the country.

He noted that the call to advance eye care requires  members of the body to look beyond conventional approaches and  explore new models of service delivery, integrate modern technology, expand community based eye health programmes, strengthen professional training and build stronger collaborations across the eye care delivery chain  including  ophthalmologists, optometrists, dispensing opticians, ophthalmic and nurses to bring eye care to Nigerians.

” The theme of this year’s summit, which is advancing eye health care in Nigeria, gives us a reflection of what next to do in eye care, what conversations do we need to have in eye care? What action points do we need to take in order to drive innovation and partnership for a sustainable development across the world, It’s a good place to start.  It is it’s surprising or appalling that if you look across the room, you see that close to 60 to 70% wear glasses. In this room, the ones that are not wearing glasses have theirs in their bag. When it’s time to sign a check, they will bring it out”

Awiaka decried the country”s dependence on importation for the whole optical chain.

He said, “As  big as Nigerian is, there is nowhere in Nigeria frames are manufactured. There is nowhere in Nigeria lenses are manufactured. There is no way in Nigeria Lens Cleaners are manufactured. There is no way in Nigeria screws for glasses are manufactured. In fact, the whole optical chain are imported. We have one of the biggest recruiters of lenses in Nigeria. They are represented at the exhibition hall.  In fact, the whole optical chain are imported. We have one of the biggest recruiters of lenses in Nigeria. They are represented at the exhibition hall. How do we advance eye care in Nigeria? Innovation alone cannot drive sustainable transformation. Strategic Partnerships benefit investments will help. It is our time. We begin to partner with Bank of Industry and challenge them”.

Awiaka expressed the board’s committment to actualising it’s statutory mandate of regulating the practice of optometry and and dispensing opticianry in Nigeria while promoting excellence ethical standard and professional development within the profession.

He stressed the need to build an enabling environment where innovation can thrive, partnership can flourish, and investment can be mobilized to strengthen Nigeria’s eye care system and expand access to quality eye care services.