As part of the advocacy drives of the Nigerian Optometric Association(NOA), The National Executive Council(NEC) of NOA, yesterday, paid a scheduled courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Health at the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja on 1st September 2021.
The NOA delegation led by Vice President North, Dr Temple Nwosu was received at the Federal Ministry of Health(FMOH) by Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi (Head Department of Hospital Service FMOH) on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire.
In the visit, Dr Adebimbe conveyed the Honourable Minister’s compliments to NOA, expressing regrets for his inability to receive the NOA team in person, citing other pressing engagements.
The Vice President North, Dr Nwosu, in his opening remarks on behalf of the NOA President, Dr Obinna Awaiaka, apologized for the unavoidable absence of the NOA President resulting from his engagement in the ongoing Ophthalmology Society of Nigeria Conference holding in Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria.
The NOA Vice President North while pledging the solidarity of the Nigerian Optometric Association to every good policy of the Honourable Minister for Health, reiterated some pleas from NOA as contained in the NOA President’s Address to the Minister. They include;
(i) Employment of Optometrists in the Primary Health Centers across the 774 LGA.
(ii) Establishment of Optometry Desk in the Federal Ministry of Health.
(iii) Proposed Partnership with the FMOH and NOA in the forthcoming World Sight Day.
(iv) Inclusion of more Optometrists in the Eye Health Department of the FMOH.
In response to the NOA President’s speech, the representative of the Honourable Minister, Dr Adebimbe gave assurances of due consideration to the various requests of NOA, while thanking the new leadership of NOA for reaching out to the Ministry through the courtesy visit.
One of the highlights of the visit was a presentation of a souvenir to the Honourable Minister of Health on behalf of NOA NEC.
The NOA delegation to the ministry of health also included; Dr Simeon Eghujovibo(Chairman NOA FCT), Dr Adesua Agbontaen, former NOA VP North and Chairman of Guild of Optometry Directors of Nigeria (GOODON);
Dr Adure Edemeraro (Ministry of Defence) and Dr Nzerem Justice (Member NOA FCT).
In a vote of thanks given on behalf of the FMOH, the Head of the Department of Regulations in the Ministry, once more thanked the NOA delegation for the visit and appreciated the work Optometrists were doing in eye health care delivery in Nigeria.
Dr.Okechukwu Egboluche
National Public Relations Officer