In a bid to enhance eye care services in Abia State, the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau has held its maiden meeting with optometrists in the state civil service, emphasising the need for professionalism and good service delivery.
According to a press release on Monday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, the meeting, themed ‘The Future of Eye Care in Abia State,’ was convened to align optometrists with the government’s vision for a standardised and accessible eye care system.
The Bureau’s Administrator, Mrs Betty Emeka-Obasi, outlined key objectives, including regulating eye care practices, upgrading facilities, and ensuring quality service delivery in government clinics.
Dr Emeka-Obasi decried past neglect in the sector, recalling that during a visit to the Abia State Specialist Hospital, she found a rundown eye clinic with no equipment and idle doctors.
However, she noted that under Governor Alex Otti’s leadership, the clinic has been revamped with modern facilities, resulting in a 300 per cent increase in patient visits and improved revenue generation.
In a bid to curb unethical practices, she warned against diverting government patients to private clinics, stating that any optometrist caught engaging in such practices would face strict sanctions.
“We must be professional and committed to our duties. Anyone found diverting patients meant for government facilities will not go unpunished,” she cautioned.
The Director of Administration at the Ministry of Health, Mrs Okoroafor Ngozi Uche, also expressed concern over absenteeism among some optometrists and urged them to adhere to civil service rules by maintaining punctuality and professionalism.
On behalf of the optometrists, Dr Emmanuel Nwaji appreciated the Bureau for its intervention and pledged its commitment to improving eye care services in the state.
