At OSN conference, stakeholders brainstorm on end to avoidable blindness

Stakeholders and members of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) on Thursday expressed commitment to promoting sustainable eye health systems targeted at preventing avoidable blindness through quality and affordable eye health services in Nigeria.

Chairman National Eye Health Committee, Prof Afekhide Ernest Omoti, while speaking in Benin city Edo state, during the opening ceremony of the 46th Annual General meeting and Scientific conference of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) with theme “Building Sustainable Eye Health Systems” advocated for a patient-centered inclusive eye health service championed by professionals.

Omoti, who is a consultant ophthalmologist at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), said that the demand became imperative from the members of the noble profession on the need for patient-centered inclusive eye health services to ensure access to good quality eye care.

“This is the commitment that is being demanded from the members of this noble profession today. It is my wish that after this meeting, there will be a patient-centered inclusive eye health service championed by the caliber of persons seated in this room ensuring access to good quality eye care.”

He said the theme for the AGM, building sustainable eye health systems and “equity in eye health” as a subtheme became apt for the moment as deliberations and the communiqué gotten from the meeting will help strengthen and support the existing eye health systems framework already being put in place by the government and also ensure that there is no barrier in accessing eye care services within the nooks and crannies of the country.

“The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Health ably led by Dr. Osagie Ehanire has made equity in eye care services a key component of its agenda in ensuring that we have a country where no one is needlessly blind,” Omoti said.

“The ministry through the National Health Programme (NEHP) domiciled in the department of public health on its part is not resting on its mandate as it tries to champion the formulation and implementation of various people-centered policies and programmes, one of which is the maiden national eye health policy that has equity as one of its policy thrust.”

In his speech, the President of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), Dr Abiola Oyeleye, assured that the conference will translate knowledge gained into action to improve patient care.

“This promises to be an interesting conference coming shortly after the launch of our National eye health policy, giving us a good opportunity to understand and be in the forefront of implementing the necessary changes in the eye care industry,” Oyeleye said.

“I implore you all to enjoy the trappings the fantastic team from Edo state OSN has laid out for us and that we return to our homes safely and with happy memories of EDO 2022.”