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The House of Representatives has approved a bill to amend the National Eye Centre Act of 2004, aiming to establish additional specialist eye care centers across the country.

Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and six co-sponsors, the bill proposes the creation of five new specialist eye care centers, one in each of the five geopolitical zones, alongside the existing center in Kaduna, located in the North Central zone.

According to reports, the bill’s passage coincides with ongoing debates in the Senate over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills.

During Wednesday’s plenary session, Kalu, speaking on the general principles of the National Eye Centre Act amendment, emphasized the legislation’s goal of expanding access to quality eye care services across all six geopolitical zones.

He also underscored the importance of the amendment in addressing the healthcare needs of the country’s growing population and the rising prevalence of eye-related diseases.

He said, “As we are all aware, access to quality healthcare services, especially in specialised areas like eye care, is crucial for the well-being of our citizens. The statistics reveal that preventable and treatable eye conditions are a leading cause of disability in Nigeria, with cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors remaining prevalent in many parts of the country, especially in the rural areas where access to specialised care is limited.

“Unfortunately, the existing National Eye Centre in Kaduna, though commendable in its efforts, is unable to adequately meet the eye care needs of our vast and diverse nation. This inadequacy has led to disparities in access to eye care services, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas.

“The proposed amendments, thus, aim to rectify this situation by expanding the establishment of National Eye Centres to strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones of the country. By doing so, we aim to provide a framework that will enhance and improve access to quality eye care, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind due to geographical barriers.

“We hope to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, can access quality eye care services. This is not just a matter of healthcare; it is a matter of equity and social justice. This bill, which seeks to enhance and improve access to quality eye care in Nigeria, has the following key provisions:

“The creation of 5 additional Specialist Eye Care Centres spread across the remaining 5 geopolitical zones of Nigeria not originally covered by the principal legislation, which only provided for an Eye Care Centre in Kaduna, North West Nigeria.”