Board poised to improve eye care services nationwide
L-R. Dr. OBINNA EDWIN AWIAKA Registrar/CEO ODORBN and Dr.Anderson Chimeziri – President Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA)
By Patricia Amogu
The Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) says it is poised to improve the quality of eye care services in the country.
Its Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Obinna Awiaka said this at a news conference organised as part of events to mark his 100 days in office.
Awiaka said that 281 optometry graduands were successfully inducted into the board in the past 100 days.
“We have focused on key areas to restructure the ODORBN and improve the quality of eye care services in Nigeria.
“”We’ve begun the process of fully digitalising the agency’s operations, and some defaulting clinics and optical laboratories across the country were recently shut down for non-compliance to regulatory standards.
“”We have successfully inducted optometry graduands, some of whom have stayed at home for more than two years with no hope of induction.
“”The board successfully conducted inductions for graduands in the following Institutions: Imo State University – 185 inductees; Abia State University – 32 inductees; Madonna University – 1 inductee.
“”Others include Federal University of Technology, Owerri – I inductee; University of Ilorin – 18 inductees; and Bayero University Kano – 44 inductees,’’ he said.
The registrar said the board had entered into mutually beneficial partnerships with the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) in order to strengthen its human resources management personnel and customer service relations and marketing.
He noted that through its revenue drive, ODORBN has been able to double its internally generated revenue (IGR) in the third quarter of the year compared to the first and second quarters.
“In addition, we redesigned the practicing license, the official logo of the board, introduced a new professional seal and stamp, and gave the head office of the agency a facelift,” he said.
Awiaka further said that the official practicing license for optometry could now be obtained in less than 48 hours.
Also speaking, President, Nigeria Optometric Association (NOA) Dr Chimeziri Anderson commended the board for its “laudable achievements” under the leadership of the registrar.
“I am happy we are experiencing these developments. The issue of different licensing and arrangement to organise internship is a very welcome development.
“We are calling on the government to help centralise placing of intents so that people don’t need to start scouting for places of internship,” he said.
Anderson pledged the association’s maximum support and cooperation with the board in its efforts to fulfill its mandate.
Dr Kingsley Emere, the President of Association of Optometrists in Public Health Care in Nigeria ( AOPHCN) called for the engagement of an optometrist at all primary healthcare centres across the country.
Emere said that more optometrists in public service would facilitate more access to primary health care, especially access to quality eye health and vision care services for Nigerians.
He urged the association to leverage partnerships to improve eye health care delivery in Nigeria and make the career of optometry attractive.
The board, as part of activities to mark its 100 days in office, unveiled its newsletter titled, The Eyeball in order to facilitate the dissemination of information on its activities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
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