UCC Head of Optometry calls for training of more optometrists

Dr Alfred Owusu, Head of Optometry at the University Of Cape Coast (UCC), on Tuesday called for the training of more optometrists to cater for the growing and aged in Ghana.

He noted that optometry had become an indispensable component of the general health care delivery system and therefore stressed the need for appropriate legislation to back the practice of the profession.

Dr Owusu made the call at the third induction ceremony of 104 optometrists   who graduated from both the UCC and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology after seven years of training.

Optometrists provide comprehensive eye and vision care which includes refraction and dispensing, detection, diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of the conditions of the visual system.

He therefore commended the UCC and KNUST for their efforts in reducing patient/doctor ratio in the eye care system.

Mr Stephen Ocran, Administrator at the Central Regional Coordinating Council, said the sector faced a lot of challenges in its bid to offer quality service to a broader section of the Ghanaian populace.

He said prime among them was the regulation of the profession and that brought to bear the need for qualified bodies to enforce the ethics of the profession as well as weed out unqualified ones.

Mr Ocran said the government shall strive to ensure that the optometry profession was regulated to achieve its full potentials in line with the “Better Ghana Agenda” policy.

He said a nation that had people with good eyesight had an advantage to enhance productivity and pledged government’s support for the full realization of the optometry profession.

Source: GNA