Optical Industry : FG, Stakeholders Move To Flush Out Quacks

The Federal Government in collaboration with other stakeholders on Eye Care have pledged to flush out quacks in the industry.

The Registrar, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr. Obinna Awaika, made this known while addressing newsmen in Abuja on plans to restructure the industry in line with international best practices.

Dr. Awaika who reiterated the present administration’s renewed hope agenda to ensure healthcare services in the country meet the yearnings of Nigerians said a national taskforce against quackery in eye health has been set up to enable it achieve its mandate.

According to him “Launch of the National Task Force Against Quackery (NTAQ) in Eye Health.We shall be collaborating with Professional Associations, the Nigerian Police, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Nigerian Customs Service to flush out quacks in the Optical Industry”.

Dr. Awaika said the organisation is working towards full automation of activities of the practitioners to ensure only professionals operate in the sector as a delicate part of the body.

He explained further, “Our Digital Platform will also be going live! Every activity of the Board will be by the click of a button. Every practitioner will have a dashboard and a wallet, we urge the media to continue to collaborate with us in the campaign against avoidable blindness”.

Dr. Awaika said the board would not hesitate to enforce stiff penalties on erring individuals or organisations who did not follow the laid down rule governing the profession.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji