Presidency Calls for Actionable Strategies to Strengthen Nigeria's Health Systems
The Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health Matters, Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, has issued a compelling call for actionable strategies to fortify the nation's health system, with a specific focus on achieving universal eye care coverage. She emphasized the urgent need to integrate comprehensive eye care services into the primary healthcare delivery framework. This integration is crucial to provide access to millions of Nigerians who currently suffer from vision impairments but lack access to quality, affordable eye care services.
Health as a Pillar of National Development
Speaking at the Eyeball Summit, organized by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Anas underscored that without robust eye health and overall healthcare, meaningful national development remains unattainable. She reiterated that healthcare is a critical component of Nigeria's development agenda, reflecting the Federal Government's unwavering commitment to strengthening the healthcare system through innovation, strategic partnerships, and equitable access to services.
The theme of the summit, "Driving Innovation and Partnership for Sustainable Development," aligns perfectly with the national goal of health equity. Dr. Anas stressed that sustainable financing models, innovation in optical care, and universal health coverage are not mere aspirations but essential realities that the government must actively pursue. "They are essential for creating a healthier, more productive society. Without health, we can never have meaningful development. So health is a critical component of our national development," she stated.
Dr. Anas expressed her sincere hope that the outcomes of this summit would inspire concrete, actionable strategies to strengthen the health system and foster collaboration to achieve universal eye care coverage. She urged stakeholders to remember that behind every policy, innovation, and investment are millions of Nigerians whose lives can be profoundly transformed through improved vision and access to quality healthcare.
Addressing Critical Gaps in Eye Care
Also speaking at the event, the Registrar of ODORBN, Dr. Obinna Awiaka, highlighted 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 remain significant global challenges, with Nigeria, like many developing nations, facing substantial gaps in access to quality eye care services.
Dr. Awiaka lamented that millions of Nigerians still live with preventable or treatable visual impairments due to limited access to professional eye care services, inadequate public awareness, insufficient infrastructure, and an uneven distribution of eye care professionals between urban and rural communities. He pointed out that even in urban areas, the distribution is highly uneven, exacerbated by the "Japa syndrome," which refers to the emigration of skilled professionals.
"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 Nigerians 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," Dr. Awiaka explained.
Call for Innovation and Strategic Reforms
Dr. Awiaka called for bold thinking, strategic reform platforms, and innovative approaches to transform the delivery of eye care services across Nigeria. He emphasized that innovation will play a critical role in this transformation, citing advances in diagnostic technologies, tele-optometry, artificial intelligence, digital health platforms, and optical manufacturing as rapidly reshaping the global eye care landscape.
The summit serves as a national convergence point for thought leadership, innovation, investment, and policy dialogue within the eye care sector. It provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share best practices, explore emerging technologies, and develop partnerships that can accelerate progress toward accessible and sustainable eye care systems in Nigeria. 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.
Dr. Awiaka noted that advancing eye care requires looking beyond conventional approaches and exploring new models of service delivery. This includes integrating modern technology, expanding community-based eye health programs, strengthening professional training, and building stronger collaborations across the eye care delivery chain, involving ophthalmologists, optometrists, dispensing opticians, ophthalmic nurses, and other professionals.
Tackling Import Dependence in the Optical Chain
Dr. Awiaka decried Nigeria's heavy dependence on imports for the entire optical chain, highlighting a significant barrier to sustainable eye care. "As big as Nigeria 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 is imported," he stated.
He pointed out that innovation alone cannot drive sustainable transformation; strategic partnerships and beneficial investments are essential. Dr. Awiaka expressed the board's commitment to actualizing its statutory mandate of regulating the practice of optometry and dispensing opticianry in Nigeria while promoting excellence, ethical standards, and professional development within the profession.
He stressed the need to build an enabling environment where innovation can thrive, partnerships can flourish, and investment can be mobilized to strengthen Nigeria's eye care system and expand access to quality eye care services for all citizens.
