Why Lagos Govt converted general hospital to eye centre

Professor Akin Abayomi, the Health Commissioner of Lagos State, announced plans to establish a specialized ophthalmic center at one of the state’s general hospitals.

This initiative aims to enhance the quality of eye care for patients. The announcement was made at the Africa Retina Society’s fourth Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Lagos, which focused on improving retinal services despite economic challenges.

The new center will offer top-notch diagnostic, medical, surgical, and ophthalmic services to patients in Lagos and across Nigeria.

He emphasized the state’s commitment to prioritizing eye health by highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance screening capabilities at all primary healthcare facilities for early detection of eye diseases.

He pointed out that the state of one’s eyes often mirrors the overall health status of the community. For instance, in South Africa, HIV posed a significant challenge, impacting daily medical practices.

In Nigeria, however, different health concerns prevail such as hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, and various injuries. These are the prevalent conditions regularly observed in clinics across Lagos and Nigeria.

He emphasized the importance of grasping the true impact of current conditions on us. The commissioner also highlighted ongoing initiatives to enhance eye screening, particularly in schools, by training teachers to identify students with vision issues.

Additionally, he mentioned utilizing social health insurance for screening, detection, and treatment of eye diseases at healthcare centers.

Furthermore, he discussed plans to enhance public awareness and knowledge about eye health, focusing on conditions like glaucoma and visual acuity.

Abayomi revealed that the state government, in collaboration with the Chagoury Group, is working on establishing a specialized eye hospital in Lagos to improve access to eye care services.

He emphasized the importance of having adequate equipment and skilled staff in ophthalmology to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment, ultimately reducing the need for medical tourism.

Prof. Linda Visser from Stellenbosch University urged policymakers to incorporate eye screening into diabetes care at the primary healthcare level due to the rising cases of diabetic retinopathy among Africans.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a progressive condition affecting the small blood vessels in the retina, caused by prolonged high levels of blood sugar in individuals with diabetes.

According to Visser, data from the International Diabetes Foundation indicates that there are currently 537 million adults between 20 and 79 years old living with diabetes worldwide, a figure projected to reach 1.3 billion in half a century.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. These countries often face challenges in providing accessible and affordable healthcare services for screening and managing diabetes-related complications like retinopathy to prevent vision loss.

She believes that everyone with diabetes is susceptible to developing DR, but individuals with inadequate control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia are particularly vulnerable.

Visser, a former leader of the Vitreoretinal Society of South Africa, stressed the importance of detecting DR early to ensure prompt treatment and prevent 95% of vision loss and blindness.

Dr. Asiwome Seneadza, Chairman of the Africa Retina Society, highlighted the significance of addressing the complexities and obstacles in providing advanced retinal care throughout the continent in a timely manner.

Seneadza emphasized the importance of enhancing diabetes care and ensuring widespread access to regular retinal screening for all individuals with diabetes.

Prof. Bassey Fiebai, the Chairman of the Vitreo Retinal Society of Nigeria, highlighted the significance of addressing the issue of providing quality retina care, enhancing results, and decreasing visual impairment due to retina-related conditions in countries with lower to medium incomes.

Fiebai stressed that government involvement is crucial in funding, training healthcare workers, and supplying necessary equipment to enhance screening, diagnosis, and treatment of retinopathy.

During a recent discussion, the professor highlighted the scarcity of retina specialists in Nigeria, estimating their number to be around 100.

This inadequacy poses a challenge in meeting the eye care needs of the large population. With Nigeria’s population standing at approximately 230 million, each retina specialist would theoretically have to serve 2.3 million individuals.

The professor questioned how such a situation could be managed effectively. The Africa Retina Society’s Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held from June 26 to June 28 brought together participants from different African nations to collaborate on improving retinal care services.