The Federal Government has appointed Prof Afekhide Omoti as chairman of the National Eye Health Committee, Omoti is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon.
   
Inaugurating the committee, the Federal Government charged members to ensure the implementation of every aspect of the National Eye Health Policy. 
       
The National Eye Health Policy was also launched at the event, which had guests both physically and virtually, in attendance.  
       
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister of State for Health, Dr Adeleke Mamora, who was represented by Dr Omobolanle Olowu, Director Special Projects, Public-Private Partnerships and Diaspora, charged the committee to implement the National Eye Health Policy and ensure the states and local government councils in the country adopt it.
         
Responding, Omoti, on behalf of the 14 members of the committee, promised to do everything possible to implement every aspect of the National Eye Health Policy.  
       
Omoti noted that the policy document arose partly from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), number three, which prioritises healthy lives and promotes well-being for all of all ages and that the target is item 3.8, which is Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and that no one should be left behind.  
         
He further stated that eye health has to be put on the front burner of primary health care, that everyone must have equitable access to quality eye health services and that the populace must be protected from poverty and lack of access to quality services due to financial reasons.

Omoti, who is a consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, stated that this is possible by an effective all-encompassing health insurance scheme.
           
In her remark, Commissioner for Health, Cross River State, Dr Betta Edu, who is the chairperson of the committee of state commissioners, stated that the burden of eye diseases in Nigeria is alarming and that more collaboration is needed to handle the challenges of eye health.