By Chiroma Ali Ibrahim
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has flagged off a two-week intensive training programme for ophthalmologists in the North-East region. The training focuses on the utilization of modern eye-care equipment, valued at three billion Naira, recently provided by the Commission.
This initiative is part of the Commission’s broader intervention strategy to boost indigenous medical capacity and curb the trend of Nigerians traveling abroad for medical tourism.
Speaking to journalists at the Maiduguri Eye and Dental Hospital, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Alhaji Goni Alkali, stated that the gesture is aimed at repositioning the hospital for improved service delivery. He explained that the intervention involves replacing obsolete machines with sophisticated, modern equipment to ensure the facility meets international standards.
Alhaji Alkali noted that the initiative marks a significant milestone in the Commission’s sustained efforts to strengthen specialist healthcare services across the insurgency-affected North-East.
The training team is led by Professor Abdul Mahdi, a Chief Consultant Ophthalmologist from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. He is co-facilitating the exercise with Dr. Abuh Sunday, also a Chief Consultant Ophthalmologist, supported by a dedicated team of experts. Together, they bring decades of clinical, academic, and technical expertise to ensure the successful conduct of the exercise.
According to Professor Mahdi, the training is designed to enhance surgical and diagnostic capacity, improve clinical outcomes for cataract and glaucoma patients, and strengthen the hospital’s ability to deliver safe, modern, and efficient eye-care services to the people of the region.
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