• Urges govt to subsidise eye care services

Skipper Eye-Q Super Speciality Hospitals Nigeria has launched a new super specialty eye hospital in Abuja as part of efforts to reduce medical tourism.
 
It explained that many Nigerians were forced to spend huge sums travelling overseas for simple procedures like cataract surgery. 
 
Speaking at the inauguration of the hospital’s Gwarinpa branch, the fourth Skipper Eye-Q outlet in Nigeria, the Medical Director, Dr Temitope Tijani, urged the Federal Government to subsidise eye care services to make treatment more affordable, particularly for low-income earners.
 
Recall that the new hospital, located in Gwarinpa, is the organisation’s fourth branch in the country, joining two in Lagos and another in Abuja.
 
She said the government must extend funding support to both public and private health facilities to ensure that citizens can access quality eye care without having to travel abroad.
 
Tijani noted that the Gwarinpa branch was established to reduce medical tourism.
 
She explained that many Nigerians were forced to spend huge sums travelling overseas for simple procedures like cataract surgery. 
 
Her words: “This hospital was set up to cut costs and provide services locally. Government intervention through subsidies will go a long way, particularly for poor families who struggle to feed, let alone pay for treatment.
 
“Today, we are four specialised doctors delivering world-class eye care. Patients come from across Nigeria to seek treatment. The dream of practising as a surgeon here at home, without patients having to fly abroad, is being realized.”
 
The hospital, which already has two branches in Lagos and another in Abuja, also unveiled a mobile eye clinic to deliver services directly to communities.
 
Founded in India, Skipper Eye-Q has grown into a multinational network with hospitals across Asia and Africa. In Nigeria, the organisation has steadily expanded since opening its first branch at Plot 698, Sanusi Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. 
 
Nigeria is estimated to lose more than $1 billion yearly to medical tourism, with eye-related procedures ranking among the reasons many citizens seek treatment in countries such as India, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. 
 
In his remarks, National President of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Dr Anderson Chimeziri, called for stronger government involvement. 
 
He urged authorities to regulate and standardise clinics, supply solar power to protect sensitive equipment from erratic electricity, and review tariffs under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
 
Chimeziri noted that the low fees paid by the scheme were discouraging many practitioners from participating, adding: “Providers cannot even recover the cost of drugs under the current structure.” 
 
The leadership team comprises Group President Jitender Sachdeva, Founder and CMD Dr Ajay Sharma, Country Head Ajay Chaudha, CEO Rajat Go, Chief Project Manager for the Mobile Eye Clinic, and Business Head Soumya Goel.
 
The CMD and Founder, in his remarks, said: “Skipper Eye-Q, Dr.Ajay Sharma, said that the hospital began operations in Nigeria in 2016, now has four branches across Lagos and Abuja. Beyond its expansion plans in Nigeria and West Africa, the hospital group says it remains committed to “human care, not profit.” 
 
According to the Business Head of Skipper Eye-Q Nigeria, Soumya Goel, the mobile clinic will visit cities within and around Abuja, and later extend to other parts of the country, conducting free screenings and offering treatment where needed.
 
She explained that the mobile eye clinic would visit cities around Abuja and other parts of the country to conduct free screenings and treatments.
 
She said: “We want to make sure people have access to eye care right at their doorsteps. Many Nigerians do not go for regular checkups until complications set in. This mobile clinic will help us reach them earlier and prevent avoidable blindness.”