FG Commits to Enhanced Eye Care, Urges Crackdown on Quackery
The Federal Government has expressed its commitment to ensuring quality eye care for all Nigerians, while also charging the regulatory body to deploy appropriate technologies to monitor the practice of optometry in the country.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako made the statement in Abuja at the Eyeball Summit 2025, organized by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians’ Registration Board of Nigeria.
He stated, “Vision is an essential part of human existence, and ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality eye care is not just a matter of health; it is a matter of human dignity, empowerment, and progress.”
According to him, the theme, “Shaping the Future of Eye Care in Nigeria: Strengthening Systems Through Strategic Alliances,” resonates with the Ministry’s current line of investment in the health sector, in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
Dr. Salako added that the government is committed to providing the necessary tools, policies, and enabling environment to enable the body to function effectively. In line with the 2025 budget, he assured that the Ministry will implement the Renewed Hope Health Connect, a 100% subsidized healthcare initiative aimed at reaching vulnerable and hard-to-reach Nigerians in rural communities across the country.
“As part of this initiative, services to improve eye health, including screening for refractive error, provision of prescribed glasses tagged JIGI BOLA 2.0, cataract surgeries, and treatment of other medical conditions that can adversely affect eye health, will be provided free of charge,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that the summit’s goal of developing collective strategies and concrete solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s eye care system hinges on strategic alliances, collaboration, and cooperation
He stressed the need for effective partnerships that would unlock enhanced resources, shared expertise, and innovative solutions to bridge gaps in eye care provision.
The Minister further called on all eye health stakeholders, including government agencies, professional bodies, NGOs, private organizations, and others, to build strategic alliances and collaborate to create a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for eye care in Nigeria.
“By working together, we can ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of geographical location or economic status, has access to the eye care they need. This includes increasing awareness about the importance of regular eye check-ups, ensuring necessary infrastructure and human resources are in place, promoting eye health-friendly policies, and providing continuous professional development training,” Dr. Salako said.
He expressed the Ministry’s commitment to working with key stakeholders, including international bodies, professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the private sector, academic institutions, NGOs, and community-based organizations, to bridge gaps in eye training, research, and infrastructure development, while enhancing the availability of critical eye care services in Nigeria.
“Through the National Eye Health Programme (now renamed the National Eye, Ear, and other Sensory Health Programme), the Health Ministry will ensure the integration of eye care services into primary healthcare by training nurses and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) to identify, assess, and refer eye conditions” he emphasized
Dr. Salako charged participants to brainstorm and develop recommendations for a robust and resilient eye care framework that caters to the needs of all Nigerians, regardless of geographical location or economic status, and benefits future generations.
