Dr Salako Reaffirm Health Ministry’s commitment to supporting Optometrists & Dispensing Opticians Registration Board
Abuja (Core Reporters) The honourable minister of state for Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako has reaffirmed the ministry commitment to supporting the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board, as well as all eye care professionals, in shaping a healthier, brighter future for our country. While calling on the Board to ensure that quacks are not given space to operate within sector by deploying digital and other technologies to monitor the practice of optometry in the country.
Dr Salako gave the reaffirmation on Thursday in Abuja during the Eyeball Summit 2025, organized by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, under the theme “Shaping the Future of Eye Care in Nigeria: Strengthening Systems Through Strategic Alliances.”
The minister noted that this year’s theme is quite apt and aligns with Federal Ministry of Health’s current line of investment in the health sector and the overall goal of the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that Nigerians are provided with the healthcare they need at any point in time without financial hardship. He commended the Board for bringing together experts, professionals, and stakeholders in the eye care industry to discuss ways to improve the future of eye health in our country, a critical element of the wholistic health of the people.
According to him, “Its a universal maxim that healthy eyes are a window to a healthy life. Vision is an essential part of human existence, and ensuring that all Nigerians have access to quality eye care is not just a matter of health, it is a matter of human dignity, empowerment, and progress.This gathering is therefore a testament to the critical importance that is accorded eye health by the Federal government
“In the face of rising challenges, such as the increasing burden of visual impairment, and the growing demand for eye care services, it is evident that we cannot address the issue of eye health in isolation. We must recognise the complexity of the health sector and deploy integrated and coordinated efforts to achieve lasting change. I hereby call on all eye health stakeholders including government agencies, professional bodies, NGOs, private organisations and others to build strategic alliances and collaborate between themselves to build a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for eye care in Nigeria. This summit which serves as an important platform to collectively strategize and propose concrete solutions that can strengthen the eye care system in Nigeria cannot be optimally productive without strategic alliances, collaboration and cooperation. It is through partnerships that we can pool resources, share expertise, and develop innovative solutions to overcome the gaps in eye care provision.
“ By working together, we can ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of their geographical location or economic status, has access to the eye care they need. These includes increasing awareness about the importance of regular eye check-ups, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and human resources is in place to support the delivery of services, promoting eye health friendly policies and providing continous professional development training to ensure that eye health care givers are up to date in their knowledge and skills.
“Let me assure you that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, (GCFR) is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery across all sectors, including eye care. The government of the day recognizes the pivotal role of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians in the healthcare ecosystem. They are on the frontline of providing essential services that preserve vision and, by extension, quality of life. Thus, the government is committed to ensuring that you have the necessary tools, policies, and an enabling environment to carry out your work effectively.
“Under this administration, we will continue to expand access to affordable eye care services, which are critical in a country where a large proportion of the population live in underserved areas. To this end, I am pleased to inform you that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the 2025 budget will be implementing the Renewed Hope Health Connect, an interventional, 100% subsidised healthcare initiative to reach vulnerable and hard to reach Nigerians in rural communities across the country. As part of this initiative, services to improve eye health including screening for refractive error, provision of prescribed glasses tagged JIGI BOLA 2.0, cataract surgeries and treatment of other medical conditions that can adversely affect eye health will be provided free of charge.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will continue working with relevant key stakeholders, including international bodies, professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the private sector, academic institutions, NGOs, CBOs and so on in order to bridge the gaps in eye training, research and infrastructure development and to boost the availability of critical eye care services in Nigeria. Through the National Eye Health Programme ( now renamed National Eye, Ear and other Sensory Health Programme), the ministry is working to ensure the integration of eye care services into primary healthcare by training nurses and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) to identify, assess and refer eye conditions.
“I call on all of us to focus on sustainability in our efforts to strengthen eye care system in our country. As the theme of this summit emphasizes, shaping the future of eye care in Nigeria requires forward-thinking strategies and long-term commitments. This is not just about treating eye conditions today but building a robust, resilient eye care framework that will serve generations to come.
“I encourage all stakeholders at this summit to continue engaging in open dialogue and forging partnerships that are focused on improving access to quality eye care services. The future of eye care in Nigeria lies in our collective efforts, and together, we can build a system that meets the needs of all Nigerians.
“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, I reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board, as well as all eye care professionals, in shaping a healthier, brighter future for our country. As a regulatory body, I call on the Board to ensure that quacks are not given space to operate within sector by deploying digital and other technologies to monitor the practice of optometry in the country.
“While awaiting to receive the innovative ideas and recommendations in a communique that will emerge from your deliberation, I wish you a fruitful and productive summit. He said.
