The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, has unveiled three specialised ophthalmic equipment to strengthen eye care services, improve diagnosis and treatment, and reduce avoidable blindness in Rivers State.
The equipment, unveiled during the maiden edition of the hospital’s Ophthalmology Day, includes an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine, a phacoemulsification machine for cataract surgery, and a Visionix Multimodal Analyser.
The event, themed “Advancing Excellence in Eye Care,” also featured the official opening of the hospital’s VIP Ophthalmology Clinic.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and supporting specialised medical services.
Wachukwu said the equipment would strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide quality eye care, adding that the state government was willing to support the sector through investments in modern technology and personnel development.
He commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for responding to requests aimed at improving healthcare services in the state.
According to him, the government will ensure that the newly acquired equipment is properly maintained and put to effective use.
Wachukwu also assured the hospital’s management that the government would address the need for biomedical engineers to maintain the equipment.
He urged resident doctors to take advantage of the government’s willingness to sponsor residency training, stressing that medical professionals must fulfil their responsibilities to benefit from available support.
The Permanent Secretary commended the hospital’s management and the Department of Ophthalmology for their efforts to improve specialised healthcare delivery.
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In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of RSUTH, Professor Chizindu Alikor, described the unveiling as a significant milestone in the hospital’s drive to strengthen specialised healthcare services.
Alikor said the equipment would improve diagnostic capabilities, expand treatment options and enhance the quality of eye care available to patients.
He expressed optimism that the new technology would position RSUTH among the few public hospitals in Nigeria equipped with such specialised ophthalmic facilities.
He added that the equipment would serve patients from Rivers State, other parts of the South-South region and beyond, while strengthening specialist training at the hospital.
The CMD expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government, the governor and the hospital’s partners, including the Local Content Agency, for their contributions to the initiative.
He also commended the Department of Ophthalmology, consultants, optometrists and other members of the team for their dedication to patient care.
Alikor noted that the department receives a large number of patients daily, expressing confidence that the new equipment would improve service delivery and expand access to specialised treatment.
Earlier, Head of Ophthalmology Department, Dr. Damiete Briggs-Adango, said the investment reflected its commitment to innovation, excellence and patient-centred healthcare.
She noted that vision impairment and avoidable blindness remained significant public health concerns, often worsened by delayed diagnosis, limited access to specialised services and the cost of treatment.
She said the OCT machine would enable detailed examination and monitoring of the retina and optic nerve, helping clinicians assess conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular diseases.
“The phacoemulsification machine is expected to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to perform cataract surgery, while the Visionix Multimodal Analyser offers diagnostic functions, including corneal topography, pupillometry and automated refraction.
“The equipment is also expected to support the early detection of eye conditions, facilitate timely intervention and improve treatment outcomes,” she said.
