Optometrists in Cross River State have raised concerns over the growing prevalence of quackery and shortage of qualified manpower in the state’s eye-care sector.
The practitioners voiced the concerns in Calabar during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, ahead of the 2026 World Sight Day celebration.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Cross River State Chapter, its Chairperson, Dr. Ogechi Cecilia Chukwu, called for increased government support in the employment and deployment of optometrists, particularly to underserved communities.
She also advocated the integration of eye-care services into the primary healthcare system, noting that the shortage of optometrists remains a major challenge to effective eye-care delivery in the state.
Dr. Chukwu warned that continued patronage of unqualified practitioners could expose residents to serious health risks, stressing the importance of ensuring access to competent and certified eye-care professionals.
She appealed to the Ministry of Information and Orientation to leverage its media platforms to educate Cross Riverians on eye health and the dangers of patronising quacks, describing public enlightenment as critical to tackling eye-care quackery.
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The NOA chairperson also announced that the Association would mark World Sight Day on Thursday, October 9, 2026, with eye-health education and vision screening for teachers.
According to her, teachers are among the most neglected groups in eye-health interventions, adding that the initiative would equip them with the knowledge to identify possible visual challenges among their pupils and students.
Describing eye health as a public health concern, Dr. Chukwu commended the state government for enacting the Health Anti-Quackery (Prohibition) Law. She, however, urged the government to complement the legislation with sustained public awareness and effective enforcement.
Responding, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Ene Cobham, assured the Association of the Ministry’s support in giving visibility to its programmes through government-owned media platforms.
Cobham also pledged collaboration with the NOA on public enlightenment campaigns, while supporting the call for increased manpower in the sector.
He advised the Association to formally communicate its manpower requirements to Governor Bassey Edet Otu, assuring them that he would personally present the request and facilitate further discussions with relevant authorities.
