It was an explosive expose'... In his usual cool demeanor, he poured out his heart in such an organized and collective manner. I think it is safe to read between the line! Happy reading!
[18/03, 06:42] +234
805 434 7774: Hi Dr Victor.
[18/03, 06:43] +234
805 434 7774: I am just keeping the line of
communication open.
[18/03, 06:43] +234
805 434 7774: My regards
[18/03, 06:52] ezevick: Good morning Doc. How is the family sir?
[19/03, 05:13] +234
805 434 7774: My family is doing well.
[19/03, 05:14] +234
805 434 7774: I have been on the move. I am in
Lagos
[19/03, 05:51] ezevick:
Good morning Sir
[19/03, 05:51] ezevick:
Ok. Hope the trip was safe.
[19/03, 05:52] +234
805 434 7774: Yes it was
[19/03, 05:53] +234
805 434 7774: Good morning. Pardon my manners.
[19/03, 06:00] ezevick:
Thank God Sir.
[19/03, 06:01] ezevick:
Can you pls Sir try to convince me on what you intend to do differently and
better than the previous administrations?
[19/03, 06:49] +234
805 434 7774: All the promises I can make for
electoral campaign has already been made many times over. I think what matters
is the approach of the leaders. My approach is different from most leaders
before me. I believe that leadership is a collective responsibility and must
involve the led. I strongly believe that it is in listening that we learn, so
leadership should not be far removed from the led. The leader must be in touch
through regular contact with all. Why should the President be locked up in
Abuja and cannot have a 1-on-1 with optometrists in Anambra, Kogi or Bayelsa
outside AGM? I will devolve power from the center and delegate. I am not a
super human. The Optometrist must be empowered by the Association to the extent
that majority of Optometrist feel like that belong and are a part of NOA. I have already identified and am currently
working with a group that wants to provide facilities for young Optometrists to
start up private practices using the NOA is a guarantor.
[19/03, 06:59] +234
805 434 7774: We must return power base of NOA
to the states. The Board has made the state chapters a toothless bulldog. The
Board is currently anti NOA. I will confront the Board for a reversal of their
policies that are not in the best interest of Optometrists.
[19/03, 07:13] ezevick:
I'm listening sir. Ruminating on what you've said so far. Very enticing. How do
you ensure that private practices in Nigeria (which constitutes over 70% of
Optometrist employment) are standardized, competent and effective both as an
eye care service provider and good training ground for our interns?
[19/03, 07:14] +234
805 434 7774: I have practical experiences about Optometrists who have been
abandoned by the Association for years. This should not be the case. We cannot
be in a group and not feel the impact of being a member, when they have
challenges
[19/03, 07:20] +234
805 434 7774: In the FCT, I introduced the
first scientific session in our meetings that eventually gave birth to the CPD
that birthed Family of Optometric Mentors
(FOM). Training and retraining is the key. I am a strong advocate of FOM
training and have a template that myself and the Coordinator of FOM will use to
train Optometrists in public and private practice to strengthen their clinic
skills
[19/03, 07:21] ezevick:
You talked about a group that you are working with to provide credit facilities
for budding Optometrists who want to eke out a living in the private sector. Dr
Echendu made such promise too but it never saw the light of the day. How
different do you plan to approach yours knowing fully well that NOA seem not to
be a household name around the healthcare system in Nigeria?
[19/03, 07:23] +234
805 434 7774: I used my position as a regulator
of private practice in the FCT to strengthen the Guild of Medical Directors.
My first assignment would be to encourage
the formation of the Optometry Directors Guild (ODG) to serve as a partner in
the service delivery in private practice. With them, standard and competence
including salary structure can be negotiated bearing in mind also that they are
investors.
[19/03, 07:26] ezevick:
Talking about FOM, I love that idea and I love how it goes about its business.
It's too centralised and seems aloof to the grassroots. Primary eye care, which
is my forte, is a grassroots thing. How can FOM get to the background? How can
private practice be able to purchase most of the equipment they learn about and
hence improve patient satisfaction?
[19/03, 07:30] +234
805 434 7774: I already talked about a plan for
facilities. This includes equipment supplies
[19/03, 07:31] +234
805 434 7774: The NOA will stand as a
collateral
[19/03, 07:38] +234
805 434 7774: FOM is currently being rebranded
for maximum impact. There are many modules that are being put together. I can
tell you that I have a good synergy with the Coordinator and we are doing more
with FOM
[19/03, 07:44] +234
805 434 7774: Let me also state here that I
don't have all the answers to the myriad of problems we face and thus I am
willing to accept good ideas that are implementable.
[24/03, 17:18] +234
805 434 7774: Good evening Dr Victor.
As I gradually approach the election of the
Nigerian Optometric Association, I am trying to put together a few of my
friends to help in charting a course for the Association from July 1st 2018 to
June 30th 2020. I am conscious of your passion for Optometry and your closeness
to the young minds in NOA. I will also like the Association to benefit from
your systemic approach to problem solving. To this end, requesting that you
spare me some of your time to help serve in a small group to help fashion out a
blue print that will drive the affairs of the Nigerian Optometric Association
under my Leadership as President of the Association.
If you are okay with the idea please let me
know so that I can include you in a forum where we can share ideas.
Thanks.
Dr Ozy Okonokhua
Presidential Aspirant
NOA.
[24/03, 17:50] ezevick: Good evening Sir. I'll want to know what role the Optometric
Directors Guild will play in harnessing private practice? Will it become
recognisable in our constitution? Will the ODG standardize private practice to
improve service delivery? How will the ODG feature in the contemporary scheme
of things in general practice? Will the ODG play similar regulatory role like
the ODORBN but in private practice?
[24/03, 17:51] ezevick:
Count me in Sir!
[24/03, 17:54] ezevick:
Doc I'll like to publish this conversation of ours in my blog and clinic page.
I've a project that'll kick off by April in conjunction with Lions Club Bonny
Island. I intend to provide another 100 school children glasses to help them in
their school work. I'll publish our conversation within same period. I've got
lots of followers online. Do you mind Sir?
[24/03, 17:56] ezevick: I'll be live
on Abuja by God's grace. Probably I'll be travelling to the US.A. by July this
year by God's grace
[24/03, 17:56] ezevick:
So the two won't clash
[24/03, 17:56] +234
805 434 7774: I have no objection
[24/03, 17:57] +234
805 434 7774: Say hello to Lion Edward
[24/03, 18:06] ezevick: Thank you Sir. I'm a very objective person. I'll do whatever I can
to help you get there but I hope you won't disappoint the profession.
[24/03, 18:06] ezevick:
I'll! You know him?
[24/03, 18:06] +234
805 434 7774: Very well
[24/03, 18:08] +234
805 434 7774: I am a zone chairperson. I was
the District Committee Chairperson for sight for 3 years running with 3
Different District Governors
[24/03, 18:09] +234
805 434 7774: I hope to leave the profession better than I met it
[24/03, 18:10] +234
805 434 7774: I don't make unrealistic promises
[24/03, 18:10] +234
805 434 7774: I have a reputation I don't want
to ruin
[24/03, 18:20] ezevick:
He reached out to me for a project they want to organise. I already have a
place I provide free primary eye care service in Finima close to the NLNG.
Their involvement will be like the catalyst I need for the next tranche of 100
free glasses for school children. Our attention is Finima and the creeks!
[24/03, 18:20] ezevick:
Don't mind if they show interest, I'll invite you to Bonny Island!
[24/03, 18:21] ezevick:
Ok Sir!
[24/03, 18:22] ezevick:
I did give out a 100 free glasses for school children in Bonny main town and
Akiama areas last year...
[24/03, 18:24] ezevick:
Back to our conversation Sir. What are your plans on how the Association can
generate revenue outside collection of association dues and waiting for hands
out from the FG via the ministry of health?
[24/03, 18:47] +234
805 434 7774: The ODG will be a charter of NOA
just like WON and AOPHCN. It will be charged with the duty of harnessing all the
ideas of Optometrists in the private sector and designing standards that will
guide the provision of eye care services in the private sector. This will be
our equivalent of the Guild of Medical Directors (GMD). They cannot regulate to
the extent of ODORBN but their guidelines can be used by ODORBN to regulate the
private sector
[24/03, 18:48] ezevick:
Wow!
[24/03, 18:50] ezevick:
Noted Sir! I'll still get back to you on this. But quite noted!
[24/03, 18:52] +234
805 434 7774: I am currently working on a
template with one of our Foundation members of FOM that will serve as a revenue
generating arm of NOA. We are going into production. In addition, I am also
looking forward to the blue print that will come out from the group I am
putting together
[24/03, 18:56] ezevick: Residency program of Optometry as it is now still remains aloof and
very much too expensive compared to our medical doctors.
[24/03, 18:57] ezevick: Is it within your jurisdiction as NOA chairman to do anything about
that?
[24/03, 18:59] ezevick:
Ok. But how does NOA currently generate its funds and how does it utilize it
for the betterment of the people in the Association?
[24/03, 19:02] +234
805 434 7774: I am in the College. It is quite
expensive. However, the Nigerian College of Optometrists is not under any
obligation to pander to the wishes of the Association save on the grounds of
mutual respect as colleagues. So what the President of NOA can do is to engage
the College constructively with a view to getting a fair deal for the members
of NOA after all the College only trains Optometrists and NOA is the umbrella
body of Optometrists
[24/03, 19:06] +234
805 434 7774: The only source of funding for
NOA as of today is annual dues and sponsorship. I can't speak as to how the
funds are used for members but I can say that the programmes and activities of
NOA are carried out on behalf of the members. What I believe is that the
activities need to have a direct bearing on the lives of members so the general
membership can attest to the fact that their monies are being properly utilised
[24/03, 19:09] ezevick:
Ok Sir. Why are government hospitals and teaching hospitals reluctant in having
colleges of Optometry just like in general medicine? Can the president of NOA
turn such pushing (for a better deal for potential resident Optometrists) into
shoving (a fair deal to Optometry in Nigeria)?
[24/03, 19:17] +234
805 434 7774: Optometry is one of the newest professions in Nigeria and it is
froth with the usual problems new entrants into the health care industry face.
The Residency programmes other than that of
medicine are battling many odds today. It is due to the misconceptions that
medical doctors have that they are the only profession that can run such in the
health care profession.
The NOA is currently taking steps in
conjunction with the College address the issue. However, I am of the view that
a lot more needs to be done. The legislative angle is one area we have not
explored. We shall be doing a lot of Legislative lobbying to push forward some
of our plans
[24/03, 19:19] ezevick:
Can't we endorse lenses for companies? Eye drops for pharmaceutical companies?
Can't there be exclusive endorsement of visual exams for renewal of drivers’
license by the Association? Are these not sources of revenue generation? What can
the president do to tap into all these potential revenue generator?
[24/03, 19:28] ezevick: What about providing aggressive primary eye care service by the
Association in cahoots with international organisations and place minimal fees
on such examinations? It can definitely be a very good revenue generator if
harnessed appropriately, or don't you think So Sir?
[24/03, 19:28] +234
805 434 7774: Product endorsement is an option.
I am not too sure if prescription items are open for endorsement, but I think
other commercial properties or products can be endorsed by association.
With regards to tests for drivers'
licenses, the members can take advantage of that rather than the Association
directly taking food from the table of members.
[24/03, 19:30] ezevick:
Most times when I mention the Association, I actually mean the individuals
there but backed by the laws of the land and other trappings associated with
being a member of the NOA!
[24/03, 19:32] +234 805 434 7774: Good idea. Anything that will empower the members of NOA as long
as the Association does not become another slave master
[24/03, 19:35] +234
805 434 7774: OK. If Association = members then
it's fine. I have been involved in the the development of a strategic plan to
take eye care services to the PHCs in the FCT
[24/03, 19:36] ezevick:
The NOA should stand as a partner, encouragement and light bearer!
[24/03, 19:39] ezevick:
Good. Can you share with me Sir how successful the plan has being and how it
can be entrenched into the mainstream?
[24/03, 19:47] +234
805 434 7774: I represented the interest of
Optometry in the FCT 5 year strategic development plan that serves as the
template for drawing up programme and projects in the FCT. The document which
is waiting for the signature of the Hon. Minister of FCT provides for the
establishment of 1 eye clinic each in a PHC in the 6 Area Councils in the FCT.
These clinics are to employ a primary eye care provider (Optometrist) to render
primary eye care service.
[24/03, 20:07] ezevick:
You know what government bureaucracy can do to this laudable plan, don't you?
While waiting for the minister's signature, how can we find other avenues to
provide a PPP-like (Public Private Partnership) collaboration to such ends that
those strategic development plan actually materialise? This might even get the
attention of the minister quickly!
[24/03, 20:09] +234
805 434 7774: Until it is signed, not much can
be done, even with PPP. But we are monitoring the document
[24/03, 20:28] ezevick:
Thank you for your time Sir!
[24/03, 20:32] +234
805 434 7774: I am honored
[06/04, 18:46] ezevick:
Good evening Sir. Doc happy Easter. How is your family and practise?
[06/04, 18:47] ezevick:
I don't know if you got time tonight for more questions on your bid for the
president of NOA?
[06/04, 18:48] ezevick:
I'll be available throughout this night. Thank you Sir!
[07/04, 08:59] ezevick:
Good morning Sir
[07/04, 09:05] +234 805 434 7774: Good morning Dr Victor. Please forgive me. I turned in very early
yesterday.
[07/04, 09:06] +234
805 434 7774: I only got to read my messages
this morning.
[07/04, 09:32] ezevick:
No problems Sir. How is the family Sir?
[07/04, 10:07] +234
805 434 7774: My family is fine
[07/04, 10:09] ezevick:
So Sir hope you are getting yourself ready for the job of the president of NOA
from June 2018.
[07/04, 10:12] +234
805 434 7774: I am doing all I can. But it's really a herculean task
[07/04, 10:12] ezevick:
If you've being going through the social media, especially in our different
professional forums, you must have seen so many issues thrown up like the issue
of Having an Optometric Council of Nigeria amongst other things, I like to get
your input on the raging debate and what you think will actually take the
profession to Eldorado if you get there.
[07/04, 10:44] +234
805 434 7774: Yes I have and it's been quite
interesting. That the Board is an outdated entity is not in doubt. I am very
sure that there is a need to engage the Legislative arm of Government to review
the enabling laws guiding the Profession. In addition to the making our
regulatory body more relevant in today's Optometry, the Association must work
with the Regulator to set standards for the practise of Optometry in Nigeria
that can compete with practises out side Nigeria.
[07/04, 11:48] ezevick:
Seems we are on the same page as it concerns how outdated and catatonic the
board has become. The majority seem to prefer total disbanding of the laws that
brought about the Board in the first place and replacing it totally such that
an Optometric Council of Nigeria will be birthed .What areas of the laws
governing our profession do you think the National Assembly should review to
reflect the aspiration of many Nigerian Optometrists as against the total
overhaul of the existing laws?
[07/04, 12:35] +234
805 434 7774: The first and most crucial for me
is the part of the law that permits the Board to collect fees from Optometrists
for their practice. That is so unnecessary.
[07/04, 12:42] +234
805 434 7774: I also think that the Board should move from merely regulating the
practice to actually setting standards that are in tandem with current practice
globally. The minimum standards in the current law are beyond obsolete.
There should also be enshrined in the law,
provisions for minimum standards for testing or procedures for optometric
practise.
[07/04, 14:14] ezevick:
You seem not to accept a reality of Nigerian Optometric Council, am I right?
[07/04, 14:28] +234
805 434 7774: Not too convinced about it. I
would like to give it more thought. I am not against the idea.
[07/04, 14:31] ezevick:
Ok. Just trying to put things in perspective!
[07/04, 14:39] ezevick:
But why are you not convinced that we are not 'ready' yet for a council as
against the status quo?
[07/04, 16:45] ezevick:
Apart from dues and levies and fines, the board seem not to be relevant to our
professionalism and the trappings associated with being an Optometrist. How do
you think the Board can set practice standard in tandem with global practices?
[07/04, 22:03] +234
805 434 7774: I am not saying we are not "ready". What I am asking
myself is: if we scale up the provisions of the existing law, will it be enough
to tackle our challenges? Will a change in name from Board to Council solve our
problems? Can we equate the functions and powers of a new Council to that of
MDCN, NMWCN, PCN etc.?
I have nothing against having a Council,
but I want it to be for the right reasons. I am open to be educated in this
regard.
[07/04, 22:03] +234
805 434 7774: Globally, there are standards of
practice and the practise of Optometry. I am of the opinion that Optometry in
Nigeria must have a unified standard for the practice. In other parts of the
advanced societies, the procedures that an OD
carries out in one location is the same as that carried out by another
OD in another location at least for a patient visiting for the first time. This
helps to ensure uniform test patterns and results. It will help to stem
disparity in diagnosis. This can only be enforced by the Board.
This can also be applied to the practice
and the minimum equipment required to set up a practice. The current standard
is no longer relevant to the present realities.
[08/04, 14:11] ezevick:
In order words Sir, you imply that it is better to strengthen our existing laws
than running off to form a council which won't really make any difference if
the status quo persists, right?
On the forum, many flowery advantages were
cited as the numero uno of having a council as against the existing board. One
of such advantages cited was renewal of license, being at par with other
medical professional bodies in the health care system cadre in Nigeria, also cited
was by-passing the Nigerian-factor bureaucracy to get legislative approvals, to
fuse eye care service bodies like NOA, ODORBN etc such that efficiency and
effectiveness improved!
I don't really know all the details of the
council though, but it seems that those who believe it's a big deal are
increasing. If you become president tomorrow and there is an overwhelming
desire for a council will you give it your blessing?
[08/04, 18:07] +234
805 434 7774: If having a Council in the place
of a Board will make Optometry services
and the Optometrists better, then you can be sure that it will get my blessing
and I will champion the cause.
[09/04, 06:09] +234
805 434 7774: My view on this is based on the understanding that the role of FMOH
is to regulate the practitioner and not the practise as is the case with MDCN and
NMWCN. We have to take a second look at the ODORBN Act and the MLSCN Act that
empowers them to regulate both the Practise and the Practitioner. Though the
duty is backed by law it is an anomaly.
These two bodies are at daggers drawn with the SMOH whose duty it is to
regulate the Practise. It also implies that the Practises regulated by these
two bodies are taxed both by the FMOH and the SMOH and that clearance to
practice issued by one can be countered by the other. So an Eye clinic or Med.
lab can be given permission to operate by the State MOH and the FMOH can seal
off such practise and vice versa. Confusing!!!!
[09/04, 06:16] +234
805 434 7774: I hope you are bearing in mind
that my responses to you are not targeted at getting votes but a frank response
to questions asked by a passionate colleague. I am not viewing this as a
political dialogue.
[09/04, 07:32] ezevick:
Doc good morning Sir. I know when someone is frank. I can touch it from a
million miles. I feel honoured having this conversation with you Sir. We will build a strong point from these
conversations and I promise you that our professional colleagues will see your
person and get to know you far better!
I'm not a politician either and that's why
you'll observe that I don't mince words to ask hard questions. I wish that our
profession should become more proficient, if you'll head the association I'll
want to be fully convinced that we have a square peg in a square hole! Thank
you Sir for your honest response!
[09/04, 11:33] +234
805 434 7774: It was an honour to sit with you
and share ideas about our profession.
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