Prof. Dr. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi
The Ghana Optometric Association is calling for improved conditions of service for optometrists in the country.
According to the association, a significant number of trained optometrists have left the country for greener pastures due to poor working conditions and non-posting by the government after school.
This was contained in a communique issued after the 11th joint Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the African Council of Optometry and Ghana Optometric Association held in Ho.
The communique jointly signed by Prof. Dr. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, National President and Dr. Yaw Osei Akoto, National Secretary, called on the government to post the many trained optometrists who have completed their mandatory one-year internship (national service) to ensure the country meets the 2030 targets on effective coverage for eye care.
The association also issued an invitation for partnership to establish an Optometric College to offer Specialist (residency) optometric training in low vision, pediatrics, contact lenses, binocular vision, ocular diseases, neuro-optometry, Glaucoma, among others.
It also raised concerns over the infiltration of quacks in optometric practice which poses a serious threat for eye health and called for the enactment of legislation and the enforcement of existing regulations to address the issue.
It said the current architecture of the Allied Health Professions Council which regulates over 22 health professions does not augur well for effective regulation of the profession of optometry in the country.
“The Association implores the Government to initiate the establishment of a separate Optometric Council in the country.
There are currently very limited opportunities of study leave for optometrists in the public sector to pursue further studies. The Association is calling on the Ghana Health Services to allocate enough quota of study leave slots to optometrists to pursue further studies,” it said.
The AGM, themed, “Expanding Optometric Practice In Africa: Focus On Scope, Training And Legislation” brought together optometrists from Nigeria, Togo, Cote D’Ivoire, Botswana, Djibouti, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ghana.
A Daily Guide Report