NOA tasks govt on preventing vision loss in ‘1.7 billion persons by 2050’

Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), yesterday, called on President Bola Tinubu to wage war against visual impairment and blindness to avoid a catastrophe.

President of the association, Dr. Obinna Awiaka, gave the charge in an address he delivered at the 46th National Conference and Vision Expo, held in Asaba, Delta State.

He said there was need for proper review of strategies towards combating visual challenges, as global statistics of people with vision loss continue to rise.

Speaking on the theme, ‘The Optometrist: An Indispensable Partner in Healthcare Delivery’, Awiaka said statistics of current blindness, worldwide, is disturbing with about 1.7 billion expected to come down with vision loss by the year 2050.

He therefore, pleaded with Tinubu to reconsider his policy on withdrawal of funding for regulatory bodies, councils and boards of agencies in the health sector.