RSUTH Commissions Advanced Eye Care Equipment, Opens VIP Ophthalmology Clinic

Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) has commissioned state-of-the-art ophthalmic equipment and officially opened its VIP Ophthalmology Clinic, in a major boost to specialist eye care delivery in the state.

The commissioning ceremony, hosted by the Chief Medical Director, RSUTH, Prof. Chizindu Alikor, formed part of activities to mark the hospital’s Ophthalmology Day with the theme, “Advancing Excellence in Eyecare,” and was held at the RSUTH Annex Conference Hall, Port Harcourt.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, who was the Special Guest of Honour, described the development as a significant milestone in the State Government’s commitment to strengthening specialised healthcare delivery.

Dr. Wachukwu commended the administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, for its sustained investment in the health sector. He emphasised the need for strict maintenance culture, deployment of qualified biomedical engineers and continuous training and retraining of personnel to ensure optimal utilisation and sustainability of the equipment.

In his address, the Chief Medical Director of RSUTH, Prof. Chizindu A. Alikor, said the investment underscores the hospital management’s resolve to advance clinical excellence through modern technology, improved infrastructure and patient-centred services.

Prof. Alikor stated that the new equipment would significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy, support early detection of sight-threatening conditions and improve surgical outcomes, particularly for patients with cataract and other preventable causes of blindness.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch and Head of RSUTH Annex, Prof. Ureh Oparaodu, lauded the management for prioritising eye care. She noted that the acquisition would reduce external referrals for advanced investigations, improve patient access to critical diagnostics within the hospital and enhance overall service delivery, while calling for proper maintenance to guarantee durability.

Similarly, the President, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Godswill Nathaniel, described the development as a landmark achievement for specialist eye care in the state. He pledged the association’s commitment to ensuring optimal utilisation of the facilities and advocated for extension of eye care services to underserved communities.

Also speaking, the Head of Department, Ophthalmology, RSUTH, Dr. Damiete Briggs, stated that the newly unveiled VIP Ophthalmology Clinic is designed to provide enhanced comfort, privacy and dignity for patients while accessing specialist ophthalmic care, in line with RSUTH’s drive for quality, patient-centred healthcare.

The newly commissioned equipment include an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine for high-resolution imaging of the retina and optic nerve, a phacoemulsification machine for modern, minimally invasive cataract surgery, and a Visionix Multimodal Analyzer for comprehensive eye assessment.

The development is expected to strengthen early diagnosis of conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal disorders, expand access to modern cataract surgery and reduce the burden of preventable vision loss in Rivers State and beyond.

The hospital also used the occasion to emphasise the importance of regular eye examinations and early management of systemic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension which pose significant risks to vision.

This latest investment reaffirms RSUTH’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation and the delivery of accessible, qualitative healthcare to the people of Rivers State and beyond.

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