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The House of Representatives, during its plenary session on Wednesday, passed a bill through second reading aimed at amending the National Eye Centre Act, 2004. The amendment seeks to establish more specialist eye care centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to enhance access to quality eye care services.
Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Babajimi Benson, and five other lawmakers, the bill addresses the rising demand for specialized eye care services due to Nigeria’s growing population and increasing prevalence of eye diseases.
Leading the debate, Kalu highlighted the urgent need to decentralize eye care services, citing the high prevalence of preventable and treatable conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors, particularly in rural areas with limited access to specialized healthcare.
Kalu stated, “The existing National Eye Centre in Kaduna, while commendable, is inadequate to meet the needs of our vast and diverse nation. This has led to disparities in access to eye care, especially for those in underserved areas.”
The proposed legislation aims to rectify these gaps by establishing additional National Eye Centres in strategic locations across the remaining five geopolitical zones. The bill also includes provisions for separate governing boards and academic committees for each centre to oversee management, research, and educational initiatives in ophthalmology.
“The creation of these centres will decentralize eye care services, reduce travel costs for patients, and ensure equitable access to quality eye care for all Nigerians,” Kalu emphasized. He added that the initiative reflects a commitment to equity and social justice in healthcare delivery.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abass, presided over the session and called for a voice vote, after which the bill was passed. It has been referred to the Committee on Specialty Healthcare for further deliberation.
