‘Optometrists Critical In Healthcare Delivery’

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described Optometrists as critical professionals in the healthcare delivery system of the nation.
Chief Wike made the observation when the leadership of Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) Rivers State Branch paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo said Optometrists play significant roles in the provision of healthcare services to the people and enjoined them to maintain the drive.
He commended the association for embarking on free vision screening exercise for members of the public and appealed to them to reach out to those in the rural communities to reduce eye-related diseases.
Governor Wike said the destructive nature of eye- related issues in the rural communities, calls for serious attention to assist them check the menace of eye diseases.
“The eye is the window of life, therefore a lot of efforts are required in this area to save our future generation from eye problem,” he stated.
The governor congratulated the state branch of the association for winning the hosting right of its 40th National Annual General Meeting (AGM) and expressed readiness in supporting the
association to host the meeting, adding that the event would be an opportunity to showcase River’s hospitality and encourage investors to the peaceful environment in the state.
Earlier, Chairman, Nigeria Optometric Association, Rivers State branch, Dr. Lucky Kina said Optometrists are Primary Healthcare practitioners in eye and visual system that provide
comprehensive eye care.
He said the visit was to felicitate with the Governor on the Supreme Court victory and to intimate him on the hosting right for the Association’s 40th Annual General Meeting and Expo in Port Harcourt in July 2016.
Also speaking, the chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), for the 40th AGM, Dr. Chinenye Nwaneri, said the association is proud to identify with the state government,
expressing confidence that with the hosting of over 1,500 delegates from all over the World, the state would have placed itself in the world map of optometry.