Gombe Teaching Hospital’s health institute produces 50 dispensing opticians

By Najib Sani, Gombe

The Health Institute of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe has graduated its first batch of 50 dispensing opticians from the School of Dispensing Opticianry.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony and oath-taking event of the new dispensing opticians, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Yusuf M. Abdullahi explained that the the School of Dispensing Opticianry was established in 2022 by the hospital in addressing the shortage of professionals in the field.

He revealed that prior to the introduction of the opticianry course, there were only three dispensing opticians in the whole state saying with the production of 50 new professionals, it is expected to significantly boost eye care services in the state.

The CMD said this achievement marks a crucial step towards bridging the gap in eye care services in the state and beyond, and appealed to the state governor to employ the new opticians into the various health facilities of the state.

In his remarks, the Registrar of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr Obinna Edwin Awiaka who officiated the oath taking by the graduands, emphasised the critical role dispensing opticians play in improving eye care services and reducing blindness in the country.

He added that the production of these 50 dispensing opticians is a testament to the Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe’s commitment to advancing healthcare education and services in the society.