World Sight Day: Optometrists want eye treatment equipment produced locally
News & Trends •
by felicia imohimi11 the theme of the 2018 world sight day is universal eye-care and the days call for action is eye-care everywhere1 the president of the association dr ozy okonokhua made the plea in an interview with the news agency of nigeria nan ahead of the of the observance of world sight day on every october 111 okonokhua further explained that local production of drugs and preparations would further reduce the current rate of blindness and vision impairment in the country1 reduction in tariff on importation of ophthalmic equipment and engagement of local players in the producing ophthalmic drugs and preparations are also part of remedies in ensuring availability accessibility to quality affordable eye care by majority of the populace he said1 okonokhua attributed the present burden of blindness in the country to high cost of ophthalmic equipment and drugs high cost of living and lack of access to eye-care in the rural areas among others1 nigerian optometric association noa on wednesday in abuja solicited the local production of ophthalmic drugs and equipment eye medications to make eye care services accessible to more people1 eye-care is not isolated from the general issues affecting healthcare in the country and on the global scene1 most of the people who should access healthcare are not able to do so because of location and finance he said1 he said that the observance of world sight day is an avenue for eye-care providers to enlighten the public on measures to adopt in order to reduce the prevalence of blindness1 okonokhua therefore urged governments to collaborate with non-governmental organisations in preventing blindness1 he observed that if the government reduced the tariff on imported ophthalmic equipment and drugs eye care services would be more affordable to large number of nigerians1