Lagos State Health Commissioner, Prof. Akin Abayomi, announced plans to designate one of the state's general hospitals as a specialized ophthalmic center to enhance care for patients with eye conditions. Speaking at the fourth Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Africa Retina Society in Lagos, themed “Upscaling Retinal Services in a Resource-Constrained Economy,” Abayomi highlighted that the center will offer world-class diagnostic, medical, surgical, and ophthalmic services in Lagos and Nigeria.
He emphasized the state’s commitment to eye health, noting ongoing efforts to develop screening capabilities at primary healthcare facilities for early detection of eye diseases. “The conditions that affect the eyes often reflect the community's health conditions. For example, HIV was a major problem in South Africa and had a significant impact on daily medical practice. In Nigeria, we deal with hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell, and trauma,” Abayomi said.
The commissioner also mentioned initiatives to promote eye screening in schools, starting with training teachers to identify students with vision challenges. The state plans to leverage social health insurance to facilitate the screening, detection, and treatment of eye diseases as patients visit health facilities. Additionally, public awareness campaigns will focus on glaucoma and visual acuity.
Abayomi revealed a partnership between the state’s Ministry of Health and the Chagoury Group to establish a specialist eye hospital in Lagos, aiming to improve access to eye services. Recognizing that ophthalmology is equipment-intensive, the government will prioritize resources and human capital to enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities, ultimately reducing medical tourism.
Prof. Linda Visser, Head of the Division of Ophthalmology at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, urged policymakers to integrate eye screening into diabetes care at the primary healthcare level, citing an increase in diabetic retinopathy (DR) cases among Africans. Data from the International Diabetes Foundation indicates that 537 million adults aged 20 to 79 are living with diabetes globally, a number projected to reach 1.3 billion in 50 years. Visser emphasized that early detection and timely treatment of DR could prevent 95% of vision impairment and blindness.
Dr. Asiwome Seneadza, Chairman of the Africa Retina Society, underscored the significance of the conference theme, highlighting the importance of addressing the complexities and challenges in delivering advanced retinal care across the continent.
