J. H. Webster Clayeh
Africa-Press – Liberia. In a concerted effort to enhance eye health in the country, the Ministry of Health and its partners have officially unveiled Liberia’s National Eye Health Policy and Strategic Plan. This marks the first national eye health policy developed in eight years, aimed at addressing avoidable blindness and vision impairment.
Since the expiration of the previous eye health policy in 2015, Liberia has lacked a formal government-level direction for eye health. The introduction of this new policy offers much-needed guidance for the integration of eye health services into the National Health System.
The launch of the National Eye Health Policy and Strategic Plan took place at the Golden Gate Hotel in Paynesville and brought together numerous healthcare practitioners committed to finding solutions for improving Liberia’s eye health policy.
During the event, Dr. Francis N. Kateh, the Chief Medical Officer of the Republic of Liberia, emphasized that the launch aligns with the recommendations set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO). He stated, “This signifies our progress in the healthcare system.”
He further emphasized, “These documents are living resources and should not gather dust. Let us make effective use of them to enhance our healthcare system.”
Mr. Ballah Musa Joof, the Interim Country Director of Sightsavers, also addressed the gathering, describing the launch of the National Eye Health Policy and Strategic Plan as a significant milestone in the collective efforts to improve eye health and ensure a brighter future for the people of Liberia.
“On behalf of Sightsavers, I would like to extend my congratulations to the Ministry of Health of Liberia for this remarkable achievement. We commend its leadership and dedication to enhancing the eye health of the Liberian population,” Mr. Joof expressed.
He shared the vision of his institution, saying, “Our mission is to prevent avoidable blindness and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Sightsavers believes that nobody should go blind from preventable causes, and we aim to ensure that everyone can access eye treatment when needed, regardless of their identity or location.”
The policy, developed with support from Sightsavers, will play a pivotal role in helping the government of Liberia achieve Universal Health Coverage, guaranteeing access to eye health services for all, as revealed by Mr. Joof.
He noted, “The launch coincides with World Sight Day on 12 October, demonstrating the government’s proactive approach and alignment with Sightsavers’ call for global leaders to recognize the importance of inclusive eye health.”
According to Mr. Joof, the policy’s priority areas include improving access to eye health services, especially for people with disabilities, women, and residents of remote communities. It also focuses on training eye health professionals, expanding their geographical reach, and ensuring the availability of well-equipped eye health facilities, along with robust health management information systems.
Mr. Joof concluded by stating, “We will also work on expanding regional and community-based eye health services and integrating eye health into broader healthcare and education systems.”
Furthermore, Dr. Joseph L. Kerkula emphasized the necessity of allocating resources to fully realize the potential benefits of the health system. He emphasized that the document’s launch is a significant step, with a focus now shifting towards implementing the strategy plan.
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