DIABETIC RETINOPATHY:
Stakeholders Brainstorm On
Improving Eye Care Services In Nigeria
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
The National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP) of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare (FMOH&SW), Dr Oteri Okolo has inaugurated the first of a series of sensitisation workshops for health care workers focused on the National Guidelines for Screening and Management of Diabetic Retinopathy.
At the event attended by healthcare providers at all levels of healthcare, Dr Okolo said that the system is aimed at combating the growing burden of diabetes and its blinding complications, especially diabetic retinopathy in Nigeria.
In her opening remarks, Dr Okolo highlighted the administration’s ambitious plans to prevent the blinding complications of diabetes which she believes the utilization of the guidelines by clinicians will help to attain.
“The National Guideline for Screening and Management of Diabetic Retinopathy, which was developed by experts from varying medical cadres including endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, and persons living with diabetes mellitus (PLWDM) is an evidence-based document designed to drive a nationally cost-effective, comprehensive, inclusive and patient-centred approach to the screening and management of patients with Diabetes mellitus for diabetic retinopathy”. Dr Okolo said.
At the event, a panel of experts made up of Professor Hannah Faal; a professor of International Eye Health and former president of the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), the Society of Family Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) represented by Dr Sixtus Ozumba, the Endocrine and Metabolic society of Nigeria (EMSON) represented by Dr Olopade Rotimi, Dr Oderinlo representing the Viteroretinal Society of Nigeria (VRSN), Prof Akinsola (Dean, College of Medicine, University of Lagos) and Professor Dennis Nkanga a renowned ophthalmologist from University of Calabar and a consultant for the process charged clinicians to ensure that the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications like DR are patient centred such that the patient takes the lead in his/her own care and treatment.
The workshop further examined advancements in treatment, shared context-specific experiences, discussed challenges, and proposed solutions to chart the way forward for patients’ treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy.
The National Coordinator extended her gratitude to the Coordinating minister Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Minister of State for Health, Dr Tunji Alausa, The Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom and the director of public health Dr Chukwuma Anyaike for their leadership, as well as the Lagos State Ministry of Health, professional groups/associations, members of the academia, Eye Foundation Hospital group, pharmaceutical companies specifically Novartis, Nigeria Vision2020 links programme, the International Centre for Eye Health, London, for their support.
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