RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, has unveiled advanced ophthalmic equipment designed to improve eye disease diagnosis, expand surgical services and enable eligible patients to undergo cataract operations and return home the same day.
The development was announced during the hospital’s 2026 Ophthalmology Day celebration, held on Wednesday at its annex in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event, themed “Advancing Excellence in Eye Care,” also featured the official opening of the hospital’s VIP Ophthalmology Clinic.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr Vincent Wachukwu, described the investment as an important step towards strengthening specialised healthcare delivery.
He said the newly acquired equipment would improve access to modern eye treatment for residents of Rivers State and neighbouring communities.
Wachukwu commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for supporting efforts to upgrade healthcare facilities and expand access to specialised medical services.
Also speaking, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Professor Chizindu Alikor, said the investment would enhance clinical services, improve treatment outcomes and strengthen the institution’s capacity to address preventable vision impairment.
Alikor explained that adopting modern diagnostic and surgical technologies was essential to providing timely and effective care, particularly for patients at risk of avoidable blindness.
The newly acquired equipment includes an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine, a phacoemulsification machine and a Visionix multimodal analyser.
The OCT machine provides detailed images of the retina and optic nerve, helping specialists identify and monitor eye conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
The phacoemulsification machine supports modern cataract surgery by using ultrasound technology to break up and remove a clouded natural lens before an artificial lens is implanted.
The procedure can allow suitable patients to return home after surgery and a period of medical observation, although discharge depends on individual clinical assessments.
The Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, Dr Damiete Briggs-Adango, explained that the equipment would strengthen early detection and monitoring of potentially sight-threatening diseases.
The hospital said the upgraded facilities would also improve its ability to provide specialised eye examinations and surgical treatment.
The development reflects ongoing efforts to expand access to quality ophthalmic services and reduce vision loss associated with conditions that can be treated or managed through timely medical intervention.
RSUTH maintained that continued investment in modern equipment, professional expertise and patient-centred services would remain important to improving healthcare delivery across the state.
