The Association also advised Edo residents not to patronise unprofessional eye doctors who its said are moving from place to place most times without definite office address
The Association stated this through a communique signed by the state Chairman, Dr. Charles Eguavoen and issued as part of it activities to mark the 2023 Word Sight Day
The Communique reads in part:
“In the spirit of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and WHO’s Health For All: Universal Health Coverage, we convene on this World Sight Day to address three paramount issues that concern us all.
“Our collective vision is to wage a relentless war against quackery within the eye care sector.We are resolved to eliminate the scourge of fake eye doctors who roam from one healthcare centre to another, putting the lives and vision of our fellow citizens at risk.
“The time has come for these deceptive practices to stop, and for authentic eye care professionals to lead the way in preserving the precious gift of sight.
“We have embarked on a campaign to dismantle the web of fake and fraudulent NGOs that deceive the masses with empty promises”, the Association said
On the issue of Optometrists in Primary Healthcare, the Association stated that the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) envisioned a future free from avoidable visual impairment and blindness.
It added that: “This dream cannot be realized without the active participation of optometrists in primary healthcare. Our expertise is an indispensable component of this noble endeavor, and we stand ready to collaborate and contribute to this visionary goal.” He said.
