OSN: Ophthalmologist Migration Costs Nigeria $150,000 Annually

The Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN) has reported that the migration of each ophthalmologist could result in a loss of approximately $150,000 annually for the Nigerian economy. This statement was made by the OSN President, Dr Gloria Patrick-Ferife, during the society's 51st Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Abuja.

The conference, themed "Re-imagining Eye Care in the Digital Era," focused on addressing workforce shortages and improving access to eye-care services. Dr Patrick-Ferife noted that over 24 million Nigerians suffer from visual impairment, with conditions such as cataract and glaucoma being prevalent.

She emphasized that 84% of visual impairment cases are preventable or treatable, underscoring the importance of early detection and treatment. The OSN called for the integration of eye-health data into the national District Health Information Software (DHIS) platform and advocated for the use of tele-ophthalmology to enhance service delivery, particularly in underserved areas.