Eyeball Summit 2025: Salako Rallies Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians On Renewed Hope Health Connect
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to expand access to affordable eye care services, which are critical in a country where a large proportion of the population live in underserved areas. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare under the 2025 budget will be implementing the “Renewed Hope Health Connect” (RHHC), an interventional, 100% subsidized healthcare initiative to reach vulnerable and hard to reach Nigerians in rural communities across the country. Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, stated this on Thursday at the Eyeball Summit 2025, which was organized by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre, Abuja. In a release made available to nigerianecho.com.ng by Agba’kin Wale Junaid, his Special Assistant on Media and Strategy, Salako said President Tinubu is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery across all sectors, including eye care adding that the collaboration of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board was essential.
“The government of the day recognizes the pivotal role of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians in the healthcare ecosystem. They are on the frontline of providing essential services that preserve vision and, by extension, quality of life. Thus, the government is committed to ensuring that you have the necessary tools, policies, and an enabling environment to carry out your work effectively”, Salako noted.
As part of Renewed Hope Health Connect, services to improve eye health including screening for refractive error, provision of prescribed glasses tagged JIGI BOLA 2.0, cataract surgeries and treatment of other medical conditions that can adversely affect eye health will be provided free of charge, the Minister said.
“The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will continue working with relevant key stakeholders, including international bodies, professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the private sector, academic institutions, NGOs, CBOs and so on in order to bridge the gaps in eye training, research and infrastructure development and to boost the availability of critical eye care services in Nigeria. Through the National Eye Health Programme ( now renamed National Eye, Ear and other Sensory Health Programme), the ministry is working to ensure the integration of eye care services into primary healthcare by training nurses and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) to identify, assess and refer eye conditions”, he said.
The Minister charged the stakeholders to focus on sustainability in collective efforts to strengthen eye care system in Nigeria. “shaping the future of eye care in Nigeria requires forward-thinking strategies and long-term commitments. This is not just about treating eye conditions today but building a robust, resilient eye care framework that will serve generations to come”, Salako added.
