The House of Representatives is advancing legislation aimed at improving vision healthcare and curbing quackery in the sector, with lawmakers pushing for the establishment of specialized institutions and enhanced regulatory frameworks.

As part of this effort, the House, on Tuesday, held a public hearing organized by its Committee on Specialty Healthcare to deliberate on three critical bills designed to enhance access to quality eye care, vision health, and optical services in Nigeria.

Declaring the hearing open, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, commended Hon. Alex Egbona, Chairman of the Committee on Specialty Healthcare, and its members for their dedication to advancing healthcare policies. He emphasized that the Committee on Specialty Healthcare, one of the new standing committees established in the 10th House, reflects the legislature’s commitment to strengthening the country’s healthcare system. Abbas noted that ensuring effective oversight of specialized healthcare institutions is crucial to achieving this objective.

The bills under consideration include a proposal to establish the Federal Institute of Vision and Optical Research in Erema, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, aimed at driving scientific research and innovation in vision and optical health. Another bill seeks to create the Federal College of Optometry in Odiokwu, Ahoada-West/Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Rivers State, to train professionals in optometry, ophthalmology, and related fields. A third legislative proposal focuses on amending the National Eye Centre Act to establish more specialist eye care centres across the country, expanding access to quality eye healthcare.

https://independent.ng/reps-move-to-strengthen-vision-healthcare-tackle-quackery-in-eye-care-services/