Senate Passes Bill To Establish National Eye Centre in Nasarawa State

Senate Passes Bill To Establish National Eye Centre in Nasarawa State

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill for the establishment of National Eye Centre Doma in Nasarawa state.

This followed the adoption of report of Committee on Health, on the National Eye Centre Doma, Nasarawa State establishment bill 2024.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the committee, Senator Banigo Harry (PDP-Rivers) said the bill sought to establish the national eye centre to cater for eye challenges of host communities, other citizens in the area and the neighboring communities .

She said the committee in consideration of the bill adopted due methodology, conducted a public hearing, captured the views and opinions of stakeholders and the general public.

She said the bill received an overwhelming support from the stakeholders, saying that the committee had a clause by clause consideration of the items .

She said it was on record that cataract was one of the common causes of severe visual impairment and glaucoma, hence the call for establishment of national eye centre for easy access for members of the community.

She said the national eye centre, when fully established in Doma would help to prevent diagnose and treat eye conditions, coordinate research on eye disease.

She said the centre would also help train specialist eye care handlers and professionals in eye diseases and related fields.

She urged the senate to approve the recommendations of the committee on the bill.

Senator Victor Umeh(LP-Anambra) said the establishment of the eye centre would help take care of the eye needs of the people and help reduce the influx of eye care seekers to the Kano eye centre.

He said more eye care institutions should be established across the country, saying that more citizens should have access to eye care.

This, he said would reduce visual impairment .

Senator Dicket Plang (APC-Plateau )said the establishment of more eye centres in Nigeria would provide services to citizens.

He said the centre would provide access to eye service, resulting to improved sight for citizens.