The Guild of Optometric is advocating for special waivers to enhance access to eye care resources, particularly for local manufacturers and importers.
The guild believes that providing special waivers will help reduce the cost of eye care resources, making them more affordable and accessible to the general public.
This was disclosed in a communique signed and issued by the president, Dr Adesuwa Agbontaen, and secretary Dr Chigozirim Nwosu, at the 3rd annual national conference and business expo of the Guild of Optometric Directors of Nigeria (GOODON) held in Abuja. The theme was “The Business of Eye Care Today: Maximizing Efficiency and Profitability.”
Agbontaen said the theme, “The Business of Eye Care Today: Maximising Efficiency and Profitability,” reflects their drive to continuously improve high standards in quality service delivery while ensuring that their services will be there for the long haul.
The president of the Guild of Optometrics urged the government to consider their request for special waivers, saying that by doing so, they can ensure that eye care resources are available to those who need them most.
According to him, the government and its agencies must, as a matter of emergency, ensure that eye care resources are given special waivers, both for local manufacturers and imported ones, in order to help make them readily available for the use of consumers of eye care in Nigeria.
“All government agencies and parastatals must explore the hands of partnership being extended to them by GOODON, to help drive eye care service efficiency to all the reaches of the country urging all eye care providers in Nigeria to at all time abide by the regulations of the relevant government agencies, and must show distinction in both product and services, to maintain efficiency towards service delivery to Nigerians”.
Therefore, GOODON urged its members to acquaint themselves with the latest advances in eye care service delivery and publicly display their GOODON emblem at strategic locations within their practice locations. This will help guide the public in seeking services from qualified and competent personnel, helping them avoid falling prey to quacks and avoidable blindness.
“GOODON shall continue to be focused on promoting quality eye care delivery, and shall support all well-thought-out plans and projects of government and other stakeholders geared towards delivering quality, efficient and accessible eye care services to Nigerians,” it said.
The guild resolved that it has become imperative for all stakeholders to bring their best foot forward in helping private eye care providers stay efficient and sustainable.