By OKEY NDIRIBE, EMMANUEL ELEBEKE & FAITH GORA

The Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu has urged the newly inaugurated Board of the National Eye Centre, Kaduna to ensure the institution becomes a Centre of Excellence in West Africa.

Chukwu made the call last week in Abuja while inaugurating the Boards of the National Eye Centre, NEC, Kaduna, with Prof. Chike Anibeze as Chairman. Other newly inaugurated Boards are for the National Institute for Medical Research, NIMR, Lagos; National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Abuja and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development, NIPRD, Lagos.

Chukwu stated that the Boards were inaugurated to strengthen the health institutions in line with the implementation of  the nation’s  strategic health programme which is an integral part of  the Vision 20-20-20. “Your role as a Chairman or  Board member should be clear from the onset as this is adequately defined by laws, rules, regulations, policies and guidelines. “

He also advised the board members not to be involved in the day to day management of the various institutions.

“That function belongs to the Executive Director, Chief Medical Director, Executive Secretary or Director General of the relevant parastatal. The main functions of the board are: to provide oversight over the management; ensure the implementation of government policies; ensure the effective and efficient utilisation of resources;  ensure adherence to laws and regulations and  accountability” he said.

He urged the new Board members to ensure that in discharging their responsibilities, they must be mindful of the need to explore innovative ways of securing funds for their institutions adding that it is the expectation of government that this aspect of  their jobs  should not be taken lightly.

In his remarks at the occasion, Anibeze pledged to ensure  the image of the hospital is positively projected for the purpose of gaining national recognition.

“ We are here to make sure that the policies of Government are implemented appropriately. Now that I am the Chairman of the National Eye Center, we intend to project the image of this institution such that when you talk about an eye problem, everybody in the country will be able to know that Kaduna is the centre”. Further, he noted that the Board would  probably establish a  link with other eye clinics across the country for the purpose of disseminating information for people to know about the Centre.

Anibeze said  the Board will set targets that will enable  members achieve the goal of providing a clear sight to all Nigerians.