Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP), Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, stated during his speech at the Ophthalmological Society of Ghana’s Annual General Scientific Meeting (AGSM) that improving cataract surgery is a national necessity rather than just a medical mission.
Speaking on the topic of “Advancing Cataract Surgery: Innovations and Best Practices”, the Minister emphasised that although Ghana has made significant strides—it now has double-digit numbers of ophthalmologists in several regions—the country’s cataract surgery rate still falls short of the critical need.
As the primary cause of preventable blindness worldwide and the primary cause of visual impairment in Ghana, Hon. George emphasised that cataracts deprive the elderly and disadvantaged of their independence, dignity, and productivity.
He underlined that prompt surgery can restore sight, hope, and livelihoods because this type of blindness is recoverable.
This one experience proved the enormous “power of ophthalmology” and the ongoing need to invest in cataract care and the specialists who provide it, the Minister reiterated, adding that sight is a fundamental right and not a privilege.
Hon. George described the critical role that technology must play in transforming eye care in his capacity as Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation.
He outlined three primary areas of concentration, including tele-ophthalmology, which will be used to decrease the geographic distance between patients in rural regions and specialists in urban areas.
The Ministry intends to expand these telemedicine services by taking advantage of the 5G deployment next year and using upgraded community information centres with fast internet access.
Furthermore, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are two serious eye conditions that will benefit from early detection with the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Last but not least, digital platforms will improve ophthalmologists’ training, mentoring, and knowledge exchange across continents and regions.
The Minister came to the conclusion that the strategic core of initiatives to actually improve eye care in Ghana must be innovation and technology.
In addition to technology, the minister vowed to strongly promote important infrastructure and legislative improvements.
Hon. George praised the Ophthalmological Society’s unwavering efforts in promoting historic laws pertaining to organ and tissue donation in Ghana.
He promised the government’s steadfast support in seeing that this law is ultimately passed after conferring with the Ministry of Health (MoH).
He promised the Society that, as a member of parliament, he would vigorously support the bill on the house floor.
Importantly, the Minister also pledged to push for the seed money and government backing required to open an advanced eye bank in Ghana.
In addition to serving Ghanaians, this facility is intended to establish Ghana as the premier organ transplant destination and a technology centre for the whole West African subregion.
Restoring sight has a significant social impact, as Hon. Samuel Nartey George emphasised, adding that “we return farmers to their fields, traders to their stalls, and grandparents to their families.”
He made a firm call to action, asking ophthalmologists and their partners to make a commitment to expanding surgical services, funding training, and utilising technology in order to provide fast, high-quality, and fair eye care.
Source: newsthemegh.com