𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐑𝐭. 𝐇𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu C.O.N, is taking bold steps to ensure that access to eye care services in Nigeria is improved. 

In commemoration of this year's World Sight Day, Rt Hon. Kalu disclosed that there are bills in the works that will address the challenges in accessing eye care services and generally improve the health system in the country.

World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October to draw attention to blindness and vision impairment. 

This year's theme, 'Children, Love Your Eyes', is particularly close to Rt Hon. Kalu's heart as he believes that quality eye care should be accessible to everyone, especially children.

As an advocate of eye health, Rt Hon. Kalu recently organized an outreach program in Bende, where thousands of indigenes received free eye examinations, treatment, surgery, and glasses prescriptions. 

This initiative is in line with the agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, tagged 'Healthcare for All'.

According to Rt Hon. Kalu, reports have shown that about 24 million people in Nigeria are living with vision loss and 1.3 million are blind. 

While he acknowledges the laudable initiatives of the federal government, he believes that the parliament also has a role to play in addressing the challenges in the healthcare system.

With this in mind, Rt Benjamin Kalu has sponsored two amendment bills - the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Council Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill and the National Eye Centre Act (Amendment) Bill - alongside other lawmakers. 

These bills, which have passed the first reading, will bring about more efficiency and expand access to eye care delivery in Nigeria.

However, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu recognizes that legislative efforts alone cannot solve this crisis. He calls for a collaborative effort and commitment from various stakeholders in the healthcare sector to tackle this issue. 

As a leader, he is setting an example through his actions and advocacy for eye health. 

For years, Rt Hon. Kalu has been championing eye wellness through his outreach programs and by using legislative instruments to support providing lasting solutions to the challenges in accessing eye care services. 

As the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, he is determined to continue this fight and ensure that every Nigerian has access to quality eye care. Collaborating with stakeholders and working towards a common goal, Rt Hon. Kalu is confident that together, we can achieve a healthier and better Nigeria.

𝓘𝔂𝓴𝓮 𝓜𝓫𝓪

𝙎.𝙇.𝘼 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙃.𝙊.𝙍