Reps support bill seeking establishment of more specialist eye care centres

The House of Representatives, during its plenary session on Wednesday, passed the second reading of a bill seeking to establish five additional specialist eye care centers across the country.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson, and five other lawmakers, aims to enhance access to quality eye care services across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

Leading the debate on its general principles, Hon. Kalu emphasized that the bill addresses the urgent need for more specialist eye care centers to meet the growing population’s needs and tackle the increasing prevalence of eye diseases in the country.

He cited reports indicating that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors being prevalent, especially in rural areas where access to specialized care is limited. Hon. Kalu noted that the existing National Eye Centre in Kaduna, while commendable, is insufficient to address the country’s eye care needs.

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The proposed legislation seeks to establish additional National Eye Centres in strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones to bridge the disparities in access to eye care services. Hon. Kalu explained that this initiative would decentralize eye care services, reduce travel costs for patients, and improve equity in healthcare delivery.

During his presentation, Hon. Kalu described the bill as a framework to enhance and improve access to quality eye care while fostering research and educational initiatives in ophthalmology. He reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that no Nigerian is denied access to such critical services due to geographical barriers.

He expressed confidence that the passage of the bill would contribute significantly to improving the visual health and well-being of all Nigerians and urged his colleagues to support the legislation as a vital step toward advancing healthcare delivery in the country.

After the debate, the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, who presided over the session, put the bill to a voice vote. It was passed and referred to the Committee on Specialty Healthcare for further legislative action.