The Federal Government of Nigeria is being urged to exempt optical devices and lenses from custom import duty and value-added tax (VAT) to reduce the financial burden on eye care providers and patients.
Dr. Chimeziri Anderson, President of the Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA), made this appeal at a press conference ahead of the 47th Annual Scientific Conference/Annual General Meeting and Vision Expo. The event, themed ‘The Optometrist: An Indispensable Partner in Primary Healthcare’ and tagged ‘Oluyole 2024,’ is being held at Jogor Event Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State from July 31 to August 3, 2024.
Supported by key NOA members and partners, Anderson emphasized the need for policymakers to integrate optometrists into the National Eye Health Programme and primary healthcare workforce to leverage their expertise. He also called for the direct employment of optometrists in federal health institutions to combat brain drain and improve eye care services in public health facilities.
The conference aims to strengthen primary eye care in Nigeria and build on the Federal Ministry of Health’s recent efforts in eye health under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Anderson praised the recent executive order to reduce import barriers for medical devices and called for continued support to ensure equitable, accessible, and high-quality eye care.
Anderson highlighted the crucial role of optometrists in preventing long-term health issues by detecting vision problems early. He assured that the NOA is dedicated to promoting equitable access to eye care through initiatives like the “My Sight My Right” project and partnerships with organizations such as OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation and Visionwell.
Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi, President of Women Optometrists in Nigeria, reinforced the importance of eye health in preventing avoidable blindness and stressed the significance of the Oluyole 2024 programme in raising awareness and providing accessible eye health services.
By advocating for policy reforms and fostering strategic partnerships, the NOA aims to enhance eye care services and address the challenges faced by optometrists in Nigeria.