…As NOA holds national conference in Abia
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing quality eyecare services to Nigerians under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the 48th National Conference of the Nigerian Optometrists Association (NOA), the Minister said the government is making deliberate efforts to ensure accessible, affordable, and quality eyecare for all citizens.
Represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, the Minister noted that improving access to quality healthcare is a key component of the government’s sector-wide approach to national development.
Pate commended NOA for its contributions to enhancing eyecare delivery across the country and urged practitioners to align with emerging global trends.
In line with the conference theme, “Optometry in a Changing World: Adapting to Emerging Trends,” the Minister encouraged optometrists to continually upgrade their skills and embrace technological innovations to address contemporary eye health challenges.
“Achieving the goals of this conference will help renew the hope of Nigerians, in line with the Federal Ministry of Health’s mission to guarantee access to quality healthcare for all,” he said.
Earlier, NOA National President, Dr. Anderson Chimeziri, described the conference as an opportunity for optometrists to strategize on how best to navigate the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape and leverage technological advancements to improve vision care delivery.
“We are in an era marked by rapid technological change, shifting global health dynamics, and rising patient expectations. As primary eyecare providers, we must not only keep up—we must lead,” Chimeziri said.
Also speaking, the Registrar and CEO of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN), Dr. Obinna Edwin Awiaka, urged optometrists to remain proactive and embrace change in shaping the future of the profession.
He listed digital transformation in eyecare, continuing professional development, workforce development and ethics, and public health integration as key focus areas for the regulatory body.
In his address, the Abia State Chairman of NOA, Dr. Onyedikachi Ogbonna, said the conference was an opportunity for optometrists to strengthen professional bonds, review progress, and map out strategies for advancing national eye health.
He commended the Abia State Government for prioritizing eyecare, citing the establishment of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau as a milestone.
“This bold and unprecedented move by Governor Alex Otti institutionalizes and prioritizes eyecare as a critical aspect of public health,” Ogbonna said. “Abia is leading where many states have yet to begin. Governor Otti has shown foresight, passion, and a commitment to vision—both literally and figuratively.”
In his remarks, Governor Otti, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Kenneth Kalu, reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.
He noted that Abia had met the 15 per cent universal health budget benchmark for two consecutive years—an indication of his administration’s prioritization of the health sector.
“Our focus is to improve lives—whether in health, education, or infrastructure,” Otti stated, while commending NOA for choosing Abia as the host state for its national conference.
He added that Abia’s growing appeal to investors and tourists is a testament to his administration’s efforts to reposition the state.
