A bill to establish the National Eye Centre, Jimeta in Adamawa State sponsored by the Senator representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District has scaled 2nd reading.
This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill at plenary on Thursday, by Senator Iya Abbas. He reminded the senate that the bill was read for the first time on July 10, 2024.
He said cataract was one of the commonest causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in Nigeria; hence, the need to establish the centre for the benefit of his electorate.
He added that glaucoma has led to several cases of blindness in Adamawa State and the country at large, and sought for the establishment of the National eye centres anywhere in Nigeria.
According to him, Trachoma is an infectious eye disease caused by the chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, saying “It is spread by direct contact with the eye or nose of an infected person which causes inflammation of the eyelids and can lead to scarring of the cornea.
“This is one of the eye diseases commonly found among rural dwellers in Nigeria, and Jimeta as well as other communities of Adamawa State is not an exception.
“This, in addition to other conditions like uncorrected refractive errors are found to be among major causes of blindness and visual impairment in Adamawa State and the country at large” he said.
Senator Aminu Iya listed the objective of the bill to include prevention, diagnosis and treatment of eye issues .
He said that the centre would also be involved in the coordination of research in eye diseases and training of specialists in eye diseases among others.
The eye centre Jimeta, when established will help to prevent and treat eye diseases as well as enhance and train more eye care providers and professionals alike.
“The centre will promote research and innovations in the field of eye care for Adamawa State and the country.
“In the overall analysis, the centre when fully established will create jobs, and boost local economy, which will have direct effect on the national economy” Senator Aminu Iya said.
He said the bill would not serve Adamawa State only but the adjoining states.
He said currently, anybody with eye challenge in the aforementioned states would have to travel all the way to Kaduna State for treatment.
This, he said was very challenging for most people in view of the current economic and security challenges bedeviling the country.
The Senator urged the lawmakers to support the bill for the second reading.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio after the bill was read the second time referred it to Committee of Health for further legislative inputs.
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