The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill to establish the National Eye Centre in Doma, Nasarawa State. This move aims to enhance eye care services for residents of the region and neighboring communities.
The bill was approved following the presentation of the Committee on Health’s report, led by Senator Banigo Harry (PDP-Rivers). Harry emphasized that the National Eye Centre in Doma would address the eye care challenges faced by the host community, surrounding citizens, and those in neighboring regions.
According to Senator Harry, the committee adhered to due process in evaluating the bill. This included a public hearing where stakeholders and the general public shared their views. The bill received strong support, and the committee thoroughly examined it clause by clause.
The senator noted that cataracts and glaucoma are prevalent causes of visual impairment in Nigeria, which underscores the need for more accessible eye care facilities. She stated that once operational, the National Eye Centre in Doma will focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of eye conditions, as well as advance research on eye diseases. The centre will also serve as a training hub for specialist eye care professionals.
Senator Harry urged her colleagues in the Senate to approve the committee’s recommendations for the bill.
Call for More Eye Centres Nationwide
Senator Dicket Plang (APC-Plateau) emphasized the importance of expanding eye care services across Nigeria. He noted that establishing more eye centres would improve access to eye care, resulting in better vision for citizens nationwide.
Senator Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) added that the new centre would reduce the number of people seeking eye care at the Kano Eye Centre, currently one of the country’s most frequented eye care facilities. He called for additional eye care institutions to be set up nationwide to ensure more citizens can access essential eye care services, ultimately reducing the incidence of visual impairment in Nigeria.
The bill’s approval marks a significant step toward addressing the nation’s eye health challenges.
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