Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring universal access to quality eye care services across the state.
Governor Otti stated this in Umuahia, at a symposium organised by the Abia Health Eye Management Bureau to commemorate the 2025 World Sight Day, themed, “Love Your Eyes, Vision for All”.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof Enoch Uche, described the theme as a call to action for individuals, communities, and institutions to prioritise eye health as a vital component of general well-being.
He noted that his administration prioritises the health care and welfare of Abians, which is evident in the reforms in the sector, ranging from infrastructural rejuvenation to human resource upgrade, as well as improvement in the remuneration package for healthcare workers.
He noted that his administration places high premium on the healthcare and welfare of Abians, as evidenced in reforms in the sector such as infrastructural renewal, human resource development and improved remuneration of healthcare workers.
Governor Otti outlined preventive measures such as regular eye check-ups, reduced screen exposure, and prompt professional attention for any visual changes, and cautioned against patronising unlicensed practitioners and using unverified herbal remedies.
The Governor further warned media organisations against promoting unverified medical products, saying the Ministry of Health would act decisively against misinformation.
He, therefore, urged traditional rulers and community leaders to intensify awareness campaigns and monitor health-related activities within their localities.
In her remarks, the Administrator of the Abia Health Eye Management Bureau, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi, reaffirmed the State Government’s determination to eliminate avoidable blindness and expand access to affordable eye care.
She highlighted the achievements recorded since the Bureau’s establishment by executive order in July 2024.
“Since inception, we’ve screened over 15,000 people, provided 11,000 free screenings, and conducted 2,000 life-changing eye surgeries. Our vision is clear: no one in Abia should suffer from preventable blindness,” she stated.
Dr Emeka-Obasi disclosed that the Bureau had upgraded the State Specialist Hospital Eye Centre and established integrated vision centres in ten primary healthcare facilities, with four currently operational.
She announced the introduction of the School Eye Health Programme, under which 190 teachers have been trained to identify early signs of eye conditions in schoolchildren.
Dr Emeka-Obasi expressed concern over widespread quackery and harmful eye practices, especially in rural areas, warning that the prevalence of preventable blindness in the state had risen above the national average.
In a keynote address, Professor Emmanuel Esenwah called for greater collaboration among individuals, organisations, and governments to tackle preventable blindness and vision impairment.
Prof Esenwah noted that the lack of accessible eye care services in low-income areas often forces people to rely on self-medication and traditional remedies, which can worsen eye conditions and lead to permanent vision loss.
He commended the Abia State Government for establishing vision centres in primary healthcare facilities, describing the initiative as a major step towards universal health coverage and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 3.
A Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Chioma Uchendu, cautioned against using substances such as breast milk or urine to treat eye problems, describing such practices as dangerous and capable of causing blindness.
She advised adults aged 40 and above to undergo annual eye examinations, explaining that some conditions like diabetic retinopathy may progress silently without symptoms.
Also speaking, the Head of the Optometry Department at Gregory University, Dr Obilor Osigwe, emphasised the role of nutrition in maintaining eye health and encouraged the inclusion of Vitamin A-rich foods such as palm oil and omega-rich fish in daily diets.
The Director of Public Health and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health, Dr Princess Orieji, reiterated the state’s commitment to public education, community outreach, and strong advocacy against quackery in eye care.
The event featured a symposium, drama presentation, free eye screenings, and distribution of reading glasses and eye drops.
