The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has disclosed that certain bills are underway to help address the challenges in accessing eye care services and generally improve the health system in the country.
He made the disclosure in commemoration of this year’s World Sight Day.
The global event, is observed annually on the second Thursday of October to draw attention to blindness and vision impairment.
The Deputy Speaker in a statement by his SA press affairs, Udora Orizu noted that this year’s theme, “Children, Love Your Eyes,” resonates with the agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas PhD, tagged “Healthcare for All” to address the multifaceted issues plaguing our healthcare system.
Kalu however expressed worry over reports that about 24 million people are living with vision loss and 1.3 million blind.
He said aside laudable initiatives of the Federal government, the parliament on its part is committed to using legislative instruments to support in providing lasting solution to the challenges, hence his sponsorship of the amendment bill of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Council Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill and National Eye Centre Act (Amendment) Bill alongside other lawmakers.
The Deputy Speaker further explained that the two bills which have passed first reading will allow more efficiency and expand access to eyecare delivery in Nigeria.
He however added that legislative efforts alone cannot solve this crisis, calling for collaborative effort and commitment by various stakeholders.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I am an advocate of eye health. For years i have been championing eye wellness for all through my outreach programmes and as well using legislative instruments. This year’s ‘World Sight Day’ theme, “Children, Love Your Eyes”, resonates with the agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas PhD, tagged “Healthcare for All” to address the multifaceted issues plaguing our healthcare system.
“Aside the laudable initiatives of the Federal government, the parliament on its part is committed to using legislative instruments to support in providing lasting solution to the challenges, hence why I, alongside other lawmakers sponsored the amendment bill of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Council Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill and National Eye Centre Act (Amendment) Bill. The Bills when passed into law will allow more efficiency and expand access to eye care in Nigeria.
“I call on stakeholders as well to pool resources together in order to win the war against rising challenges of global blindness. Through the Benjamin Kalu Foundation I kicked off the End Blindness Project, an outreach targeting thousands of Bende indigenes for eye examinations, treatment, surgery and glasses prescription. The project is not just for Bende Federal Constituency but for the entire nation as well, the outreach will be extended to other parts of the country,” the Deputy Speaker said.
Kalu who is an advocate of eye health recently organised an outreach programme where thousands of Bende indigenes received free eye examinations, treatment, surgery and glasses prescription.
The theme of World Sight Day 2024 is “Love Your Eyes Kids.”
Lateefah Ibrahim
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