…As Chimeziri, Iwuchukwu Speak
By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Optometrists in Nigeria under the umbrella of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) felicitate with the management of Aihwa Integrated Medical Clinic, Ngor-Okpala LGA, Imo State on the official commissioning of Aihwa Vision Care. The well equipped facility has the capacity to handle major/difficult eye challenges especially diabetic retinopathy. The vision care center will be beneficial to the state and southeast both economically and health wise.
The Aihwa Vision Care located along Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport Road, Ngor-Okpala, was on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, opened for vision related services, attracting dignitaries in the eye care profession both within and outside Nigeria. The event featured technical session for Optometrists, ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tour by the participants. Resource persons included, Dr. John Wroblewsky and Dr. Ann Marie, both from the United States as well as Dr. H.O, Salau from the National Eye Center, Kaduna.
Speaking, the National President of NOA, Dr. Anderson Chimeziri, said that he was elated over the facility, disclosing that he was in the process of mulling partnerships towards establishing similar facility because of its importance to Imo State and the entire southeast. He noted that the absence of such a world-class eye care center in the state and region had witnessed patients traveling as far as Abuja, Lagos and Kaduna for remedies.
Dr. Chimeziri stated: “We’re full of hopes that this place is going to address numerous and high magnitude retinal problems, especially diabetic retinopathy. We have known that glaucoma is high in the southeast with the emerging trend of high level diabetic retinopathy among the easterners who are looking for best treatments. So, this facility ultimately meets their needs because it will help to save people from becoming blind,” he said, urging support for the center.
On his own, the Imo State Chairman of NOA, Dr. Patrick Iwuchukwu, described the event as remarkable for the eye health sector in Imo State, calling the facility a solution center because of its specialized eye care services with state of the art facilities with High Definition (HD) technologies. He further said that it was striking that the facility after several years would serve as a referral center for patients with retinal issues who before now had to travel to Lagos, Abuja or Kaduna for treatments.
Satisfied with the economic and health benefits of the center, Iwuchukwu remarked: “A case in point is diabetic retinopathy which has caused so much distress for our people because of the difficulties associated with affordability and accessibility of the treatment. Patients in this area find it frustrating when they are asked to go to Lagos, Abuja or Kaduna because of the risks and cost associated with such trips.We’re impressed and congratulate the Founder, Rev Fr. Kenny Udumka for this laudable initiative.
“It’s a thing of joy that an indigene of Imo State has brought this world-class eye care center to the state to give hope and remedy to our people. Today, Optometrists in Imo State, including Chief Executive Officers of different facilities are here in great numbers to identify with this project as well as to partner with the center,” Dr. Iwuchukwu said, adding that avoidable conditions that are caused by retinal disorders could be easily managed at affordable cost.
The Imo State NOA Chairman, also expressed satisfaction with the sustainability plans at the center, especially the moves to bring in more equipments, suggesting that the involvement of the Imo State Government in the project would make considerable difference through health financing mechanism and guarantee health insurance to patients in other to reduce financial hardships accessing the facility. He, therefore, promised collaboration from Optometrists towards the Aihwa Vision Care he described as one stop facility for eye care practice in the state and region.
Earlier, the Founder, Rev. Fr. Kenny Udumka (Cssp), said that he was moved to establish the center because of the need to grant people in the state access to holistic health care, adding that such an advanced eye care facility was lacking in the state and the southeast. The clergyman further disclosed that the surging population of eye care patients makes the center a home of remedies, as he urged the people of the state and beyond to leverage the opportunity for their wellbeing.
