Health
ANDERSON Chimeziri, President of the Nigerian Optometry Association (NOA), has called for the establishment of a healthcare infrastructure bank that would provide sustainable financing for both public and private healthcare providers.
Chimeziri spoke against the backdrop of some of the challenges affecting the health sector in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
According to him, such institution will support investments in modern medical equipment, infrastructure development and service expansion that is lacking in the country.
He emphasised the need for urgent attention to address the challenges caused by poor welfare for healthcare workers, inadequate leadership structures, inadequate infrastructure, unstable power supply among others.
“Our government must adopt a more investment-driven approach to healthcare financing through the establishment of a special financial institution to address our lingering healthcare challenges.
“All major expenditure should be evaluated in terms of its potential impact, sustainability, and return on investment.
“For example, if government invests millions of naira in healthcare equipment, there should be measurable indicators regarding cost recovery, service delivery, and community impact,” he said.
Chimeziri, who is the Medical Director of Avcro Health Eye Centre in Makurdi, Benue State, also identified persistent rivalry and fragmentation among different healthcare professionals as major obstacles to effective service delivery.
He added that disparities in remuneration, career progression and conditions of service among professionals working within the same health system often created dissatisfaction and reduced collaboration.
The NOA President advocated for a more harmonised and equitable structure to improve morale, strengthen teamwork and enhance healthcare outcomes.
He, however, commended the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for some of its health reforms, adding that the sector should be accorded national importance similar to that of the armed forces and other critical services. (NAN)
A.I
June 15, 2026
Tags: Dr Anderson Chimeziri