Only 300 ophthalmologists cater for over 170 million Nigerians - Group

Only 300 ophthalmologists cater for over 170 million Nigerians - Group

- More Nigerians may go blind if the federal government does not increase funding of the health sector, Ophthalmologists in Nigeria have said

- The group called on the general public to go for eye checks consistently

- The group said the high rate of eye diseases in Nigeria is having a negative impact on individual, family and nation's economy

A group of ophthalmologists has said that more Nigerians are likely to go blind if the federal government fails to increase funding of the health sector.

The group said that the proliferation of eye diseases in Nigeria is having a negative impact on individual, family and nation's economy.

The president of the group Sebastian Nwosu while speaking during the 42nd annual general meeting and scientific conference of the society in Kaduna state said the lack of adequate funding of the health sector is responsible for the high rate of blindness in Nigeria.

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Nwosu also warned that inadequate manpower in health facilities might be contributing to the challenges faced by patients with various eye diseases.

Decrying the rate of cataract cases in the country, Nwosu further warned that, more Nigerians are likely to become blind if the situation is not nipped in the bud.

He urged the government at the state and federal level to support the fight against blindness in Nigeria by encouraging adequate funding of the health sector.

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Also speaking at the event, the president of the Nigerian Medical Association, Mike Ogirima, said the budgetary allocation for Nigeria's health sector is low.

He also said the number of ophthalmologists in Nigeria cannot match the individuals suffering from one eye disease or the other.

Ogirima said only about 300 ophthalmologists to care for the over 170 million Nigerian population

He also urged the general public to consistently go for eye check in order to promptly detect any form of eye disease especially those that might be threatening.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that it is important that the eyes are often protected during the use of smartphones.

Also, doctors have advised the general public to desist from spending too much time in front of screens like laptops, desktops, smartphones and all the likes of it.

You can watch this Legit.ng video of Nigeria's family of six with four blind children:

Source: Legit.ng

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