The Abia State Government has expressed concern over the rising cases of blindness and other eye-related diseases in the state, urging residents to undergo regular eye examinations for early detection and treatment.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Ogbonnaya Uche, made this statement during the inauguration of the new Eye Care Centre at the Amachara Specialist Hospital annex in Umuahia. He lamented that, according to a study, over 4 million Nigerians suffer from various eye problems, with more than 1 million of them being blind.
Professor Uche explained that the establishment of the Eye Care Centre aims to combat preventable blindness among residents. He also mentioned that the centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, making it suitable to serve as a referral centre for complex eye cases.
He revealed that the Governor has given directives to upgrade the hospital into a world-class facility for eye treatment and other medical conditions. This initiative, according to Professor Uche, underscores the importance the administration of Governor Alex Otti places on health, which is a key priority for the State Government.
The Commissioner noted that the hospital would undergo rapid transformation in the coming months. He also disclosed that the Governor has approved and released funds to upgrade the hospital into a College of Nursing, which will help the state regain all lost accreditations from the previous administration.
Earlier, Dr. Chimezie Okwuonu, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Abia State Specialist & Diagnostic Hospital, mentioned that the Governor had authorized funds for hiring specialists to manage the hospital.
In less than three months, the hospital’s staff had increased from one to 12 specialists and from 12 to 24 doctors, as part of the ongoing extensive improvements.
The CMD also mentioned that the hospital has received approval to start a housemanship program. He hinted that an orthopedic and trauma centre would soon be established, and the hospital would be expanded to a 300-bed capacity. Dr. Okwuonu pledged to pursue and achieve the Governor’s vision for the health sector, which focuses on providing affordable and accessible healthcare for Abia residents.
In her remarks, Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, the Administrator of the Abia Eye Health Management Bureau, stated that the eye care centre was set up to tackle challenges related to eye health, particularly the high rate of avoidable blindness and visual impairment in the state. She emphasized that the goal is for every resident to benefit from optimal eye health.
Dr. Emeka-Obasi expressed her gratitude to the Governor for prioritizing eye health and ensuring that Abia residents have access to a standardized and effective eye healthcare system.
“This center will offer a wide range of essential eye care services; It will provide comprehensive eye examinations, advanced diagnostic testing, treatment for various eye conditions, vision correction, and rehabilitative services.
“Our team of experienced optometrists and nurses is dedicated to delivering personalized care to meet the diverse needs of our community. This is just the beginning as we plan to open up six more facilities across the state before the year ends.”
She further said that the establishment of the centre, represented the Governor’s dedication to addressing urgent health needs and expanding access to essential services.
“It symbolizes hope for many who will now benefit from comprehensive eye care and advanced medical interventions within our community”, she added.
Former House of Representatives member and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Acho Obioma, praised the Governor’s decision to upgrade the hospital, stating that it would provide the people with access to quality healthcare. He noted that the Governor’s accomplishments so far demonstrate his readiness to bring about meaningful change.
In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Amachara, HRM Eze Akpunku Iheuwa, expressed gratitude to the Government for the decision to upgrade the hospital, saying it showed the government’s commitment to the well-being of its residents.
The President General of the Community, Amana Uchendu, represented by Chief Hope Ekwuribe, assured that the community vigilante would work in collaboration with the hospital’s security team to protect the facilities at the centre.
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