TODAY'S POSER:THE BURDEN OF O.D. PART 1

Imagine, an O.D. holder practicing for years and receiving peanuts as salary. Imagine, how difficult it is to get employed in the public sector. Imagine, how difficult it is, to raise funds and start your private practice.
Imagine, a situation where you are gainfully employed in a private clinic for several years where you are struggling to make ends meet and your little cousin, an MBBS holder wraps up his housemanship and brings a car home aswell as a letter of employment to a teaching hospital. And your entire relateives know you as the 'senior doc' and him the 'junior doc'. Maybe, the solution will be, to summon the elders and tell them,. ''plsss o!..pls..his own doctor is MBBS, mine is OD''
Is that..? This is a problem that needs creative solutions. Drop your comments.

AOPHCN On the March, Interim Excos Come on Board !

The Association of Optometrists in Public Health Care of Nigeria(AOPHCN) after its meeting(at the period of NOA Conference) chose interim excos to pilot the affairs of the association for the time being. The new excos(From R-L) in the picture are:
Dr Uwaoma Daniel Benue state,PRO,
Dr Okechukwu Egbuluche Ebonyi State ,Fin Secretary,
Dr Hellen Udo Delta State,Treasurer

Dr Anderson Benue State National coordinator/President ,
Dr Temple Nwosu Kogi State ,National Secretary,
Dr Emenike Abuja Asist Secretary.

Interestingly, AOPCHN which is now fully incorporated and affiliated with NOA as the umbrella body for Optometrists in Government ad Public Health institutions, was given a certificate by the NOA at the Dinner/Award night during the NOA Conference/AGM in Abuja

 

It's finally Over! DAY 4: NOA AGM/CONFERENCE, ABUJA 2015

In the AGM, the president of NOA welcomed all and the designated excos gave the financial statement for the year and hauled out their achievements in their first year of administration. Some of these achievements include;

Extending hands of friendship  across the pre-election divide.

Uniting the public sector based pro-optometric groups.

NOA aligned forces with NUAHP(Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals). NUAHP is an arm of JOHESU(Joint Health Sector Union).

Initiating and staging the first  NOA town hall meeting were  salient issues were raised and creative ideas were generated for the general house.

Initiating the Optometric mentoring programme, the Family of Optometric Mentors(FOM), which is gaining strength and making impact.

Inspiring an unprecedented World Sight Day and World Glaucoma Day celebrations with highly coordinated activities across the states.

A new befitting website www.noang.org

Regularly meeting the chapter chairmen and carrying them along.

Optometrists okayed all the town hall meeting resolutions except that which suggests that there should be an annual delegates conference instead of the annual conference by all.

The ODORN explained the rationale behind the contracting of the CPD(Continuing Professional Development) and what the board has been doing in their role in regulating Optometry practice.

The body also highlighted other packages for its members in the area of indemnity insurance for members. Indemnity insurance was tied to license. Without it, the board may not renew members license. A scheme with banking institutions to enable Optometrists acquire instruments for beefing up their practice was also initiated.

The 4th Day of the Abuja 2015 NOA Conference/AGM was wrapped up with a colorful dinner/ award night at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. In the event, NOA scored another first, by giving an a score card/analysis of World Sight Day, 2014 activities in the various states. The Imo State and FCT chapter tied in the first position while Anambra and Lagos State were placed second and third respectively.

The Fellowship of Nigerian Optometric Association(FNOA) were conferred on deserving Optometrists while Prof. E.U. Ikonne was conferred the 'Optometrist of the Year.' Dr. Ikechukwu Nwakuche was given an award for meritorious service.

Optometrists were treated to a powerful music display by the amazing Atilogwu dancers.

NOA BUS RIDE!

Optometrists were treated to a bus ride through Abuja metropolis. It was a thing of joy to the delegates as they sighted various landmarks in the city.

Picture Credit: Victor Aliche

FIGHT AGAINST QUACKERY: IMO NOA CHAPTER UNITES WITH STATE HEALTH MINISTRY

The Imo State Ministry of Health in conjunction with Nigerian Optometric Association, Imo State chapter has perfected plans to ensure that only qualified professionals are allowed in the practice of eye care delivery in the state.

The revelation was made when members of NOA, Imo State chapter, paid a visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. John Ihebereme and other officials at the state secretariat, Owerri recently.

Chairman of the Association in Imo State, Dr.Martin Ohiri, said that the purpose of their visit to the ministry was to interact with the officials on ways of advancing professionalism in eye care delivery in the state and also stepping up the fight against the ugly menace of quackery in the profession.

The chairman described as alarming, the increasing rate of blindness and other visual impediments among the populace, which he attributed to activities of quacks who are being patronized by un-informed eye patients in the markets along the roads and other unapproved places for eye care delivery.

Dr. Ohiri, revealed that the association had spent millions of naira in carrying out awareness campaigns and outreaches in order to educate the public against the dangers of patronizing unqualified persons who parade themselves as eye care providers.

"Can you imagine that even some practitioners in othe

r medical fields without proper knowledge of vision related matters often prescribe wrong medications to eye patients instead of referring them to experts, the optometrists who are primary eye care providers."

Earlier in his address to the association, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Jonny Ihebereme, frowned at the level of involvement of quacks in the eye care profession which he said can no longer be tolerated because of its ravaging effects on the members of the public.

NOA ABUJA 39TH AGM MEETING: EHOES FROM THE OWERRI TOWNHALL MEETING

Today, Saturday 4th July, 2015 will be the AGM proper, in the 4 day NOA Conference/AGM taking place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Burning issues affecting the practice of Optometry in Nigeria, as well as the welfare of Optometrists will be in the front burner of the discussion today. Interestingly, the meeting will be a great reflection of the outcome of the Town Hall Meeting held on Thursday, 14th May, 2015 at Full Moon Hotels, Owerri.
In the last town hall meeting, various resolutions were made but based on NOA's constitution, they would not be binding unless they are agreed upon in the AGM today. Some of these resolutions/issues raised include;
-NOA Annual National Delegates Meeting(and Zonal conferences) as against the Annual Conference/AGM because of the increasing number of Optometrists.
-To be or not to be, a welfare fund for Optometrists in Nigeria.
-The need for legal action as regards issues pertaining Optometry practice/professional rivalry
-The ODORBN and their manner of regulating Optometry profession in Nigeria
-To be or not to be, the need to review Optometry curriculum in our universities

PICTURES FROM THE TOWNHALL MEETING

Dr. Anderson Chimeremeze making his presentation

Prof.Ojimogho, FNCO

Former Ag.Registrar of ODORBN, Dr.Igbo Okafor

Prof. Mathew Oriowo

Hon.Jeff Ojinaka stating a fact

NOA President, Dr. Damian Echendu addressing issues

Prof. Nnnadozie and Prof. Uche Ikonne

OPTOMETRY EXCELLENCE wishes Optometrists happy deliberation!

Picture Credit: Felix Olafisoye

DAY 3: NOA 39TH AGM

 DAY 3: Optometrists all over Nigeria, relished the rich scientific sessions and drug presentations in the ongoing 39th Annual General Meeting/Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association taking place at the International Conference Centre Abuja. Apart from the Guest Lectures from Prof Don W. Lyon of the Indianna University School of Optometry, two scientific sessions are held simultaneously and delegates chose the one they prefer.

Some of the papers presented include: Use of Smartphone devices in Primary Care Optometry(Asikhalaye Ehijator), The Optometrist as a designated aviation eye examiner(Andrew Uma Omaka), Designing and Implementing Vision Therapy(Prof. Don Lyon), Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Sun Protection Among Persons with Albinism with Membership of the Albino Foundation, Nigeria(O.P. Edi) amongst others.

 



Prof. Ebele Uzodike,FNCO ODORBN Registrar and Dr.Okechi Amechi, FNCO.



 

Dr.Okey Anyanwu, FNOA



Dr.Chuma Okonkwo FNCO, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, FNOA

Tea break



 







Picture Credit: Anderson Chimeziri, Nneka Okpara







Dr.Isaac Ejebe FNOA, Dr.Chris Timothy FNCO







NOA ABUJA 2015 CONFERENCE FLAGS OFF IN STYLE

Optometrists from all over Nigeria were part of the opening ceremony of the 39th conference, scientific sessions and Annual General Meeting of Nigerian Optometric Association which took place on Thursday, 2nd July, 2015 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

In a colourful event which showcased the in roads that the Optometry profession was making in various sectors of Nigeria, Optometrists were pleased to see their own in the army, navy, police force, road safety corps and other paramilitary establishments dressed in their full regalia.

The chairman of the occasion, Ms Ama Pepple, the former Head of Service of Nigeria commended Optometrists for their efforts in ensuring that primary eye care is functional both in the public and private sector.

The keynote speaker, Chief Eze Nwagbaraji, delivered a paper titled, "Advancing Optometry in Nigeria: Research & Ethics, The Obligations that Define a Profession." The renowned lawyer advised the regulatory body of the profession to be up and doing in raising standards and properly monitoring and controlling  the activities of the professionals in country. He talked about indemnity and also advise Optometrists on how to conduct themselves in order not to be victims of malpractice lawsuits.

The event was declared open by the Permanent Secretary under the Head of Service, who reassured Optometrists that her office has received various applications made by Optometrists in the areas of job placement, internship and other issues relevant to the profession.

Delegates were thrilled to dance performance by the Blackbone cultural troupe.

FOM HOLDS SUCCESSFUL PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

Dr.Olafisoye receives a plaque from NOA President after the session

The Family of Optometric Mentors(FOM) of the Nigerian Optometric Association successfully held a pre-conference workshop today at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Prof.Oriowo being commended with an award/plaque

The event which was attended by about

Dr.Ovenseri receives an award

50 participants was in fulfillment of Nigerian Optometric Association's goal of improving the clinical know-how of Optometrists especially in the area of instrumentation and research. In the event, various practical sessions were held; including Slit Lamp Bimicroscopy, Visual Field Analysis and Scientific Paper Presentation as well as Data Analysis.

Dr.Damian Echendu, M.Sc Vision Science, the pioneer Optometrist at the State House Eye Clinic Abuja and the president of NOA handled the Slit Lamp Bimicroscopy Session. While Supreme Vision Eye Clinic's Dr. Felix Olafisoye, took charge of Visual Field Analysis. Dr. Olafisoye is the visionary behind FOM and Vice President, North of NOA.

Prof. Mathew Oriowo, the Head, Department of Optometry, University of Ilorin taught the class, Scientific Paper Writing while Dr. Ovenseri-Ogbomo of the University of Benin took charge of Statistical Package for Social Sciences(data analysis).

Interestingly, Optometry interns, especially from the Abuja axis were on hand to assist the resource persons in training the trainees. Optometrists with various years of experience submitted themselves to be trained even by younger colleagues. It is a known fact that many older Optometrists are exposed to little or no high tech instrumentation in the course of their practice.

The commendable initiative is indeed a welcome development to Optometrists with the desire to upgrade in their practical know how.

Pre-conference workshops, are a usual event in most Optometric association conferences, including African Council of Optometry, where conference delegates pay for a training/session before the main conference which, though beneficial to them, is optional.

FOM, has lined up future sessions for other Optometrists in Nigeria.

Picture credit: Godwin Ovenseri

Why Nigeria College of Optometrists Was Established - Registrar

The Registrar of the Nigeria College of Optometrists, Prof. Uche Ikonne has said that the college was established because it wanted to encourage the opticians to bring professionalism into their practice. 

 

He stated this recently in Owerri, during the college annual conference and lectures with the theme: 'Advancing professionalism through Clinical Research.' 

 

"The fellowship has astronomically lifted the optometrists in Nigeria from the basal status of a mere clinician in the public health institutions to a consultant status and from a stagnated classroom teacher to the apex rank of a tertiary institution administrator," Ikonne said. 

 

He said that the college had seven faculties, Primary Care Optometry, Cornea and Contact Lens Practice, Low Vision and Rehabilitative Optometry, Ocular Health Public Health Optometry, Orthoptics Paediatric Optometry and that the college derived it legal status from the Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians 

 

'Registration Board of Nigeria, adding that the 11 foundation fellows graduated in 2006 and later the second set of the college graduated four years later when the college was inaugurated on September7, 2008. 

 

On the history of the college, Ikonne said, " it is the Nigeria College of Optometrists which was conceived towards the end of last millennium through the inspirational advice and directives of Prof. F.C. Akpuaka, the then provost, College of Medicine and Health Science, Health Sciences, Abia State University, adding that "The fellowship has astronomically lifted the optometrists in Nigeria from the basal status of a mere clinician in the public health institutions to a consultant status and from a stagnated classroom teacher to the apex rank of a tertiary institution administrator"

 

Prof.Uche Ikonne

'Akpuaka was concerned about the growth of the profession and staff of the Department of Optometry in Abia State University and drew inference from tne inception of the specialist (fellowship) training in the established sister professions." 

 

In conclusion, he said that In the event 12 graduands of the college will be convocating and would be deployed to the various faculties of the college. 

 

 Source: Vanguard Newspaper(Chinonso Alozie)

NOA Exco Welcomes ALL, to ABUJA 2015 Conference/AGM

Dear Ebullient, vivacious Optometrists!

 

It is with Great pleasure  and Warmth that I WELCOME you to the 39th AGM/Conference/Expo Holden at the prestigious International Conference Centre here in Abuja.

Trusting that your Trip was uneventful and Smooth. As you settle down for the business of the AGM On Behalf of the National Exco and the TEAM LOC we would like to extend warm arms of welcome to the 7th Month of the year, welcome to the 39th AGM. Do have a Swell time as you participate in all the events put together to make this years AGM a memorable one.

Dr Andrew Omaka

Publicity Secretary

NOA