Eye Health Hero: Francis Chiemelie Unachukwu

Dr Francis Unachukwu is an Optometrist passionate towards promoting eye and health care in Nigeria, with a formidable zeal to improve the availability of eye care and reduce avoidable causes of blindness in and around Abuja.

He currently serves as the Head of Department in the Eye Clinic of Army Command and NAOWA Hospital where he is actively involved in coordinating eye Care services within the hospital and around the various barracks.

“I believe in the power of knowledge and that the proper and systematic application of this knowledge can be used for the betterment of human lives. This drives my quest for knowledge and excellence.

Eye care for me is a passion and my little way of making a mark in society. The joy and gratitude I see in the eyes of patients whom I have helped directly or indirectly gives me great fulfillment. Though I am still a Young vibrant Optometrist, I’m certain there’s no limit to what I can achieve once I set my mind to it and on this note, I pledge to continuously improve on the best of my abilities to improve eye Care in Nigeria and contribute my quotes in reducing the avoidable cause of blindness.”

-Francis Chiemelie Unachukwu

The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization with the objectives of assisting the poor and the needy and raising the standard of living in the barracks of the nation. Eye care services includes delivery of free and/or subsidized services, treatment and management of common eye problems and speedy referral to the necessary specialist when needed.

Dr Francis always shows a value driven attitude in carrying out his responsibilities

Dr Francis is actively involved in various campaigns on Eye care education and information dissemination on social media, Radio and television shows

He is a Pioneer Member and coordinator Optometry Nigeria On Air Personalities (OAP) involved in Podcast, live radio and television talk shows on Vision related issues. These include Talk shows on Spreaker.com, Pikin-matta on Kapital FM, Health matters on Wazobia FM, Rhythm FM, Raypower FM.

He is a member of Family of Optometric Mentors (FOM), a volunteer organization involved in improving clinical competence and teaching Nigerian optometrists nationwide which includes organizing and teaching during Optometry national preconference workshops, one on one mentoring programs, state organized Continuous Professional Development Programs (CPD).

Dr Francis was the Pioneer and Coordinating Volunteer in “My Sight, My Right” campaign by the Nigerian Optometric Association and Christoffel Blinden-Mission (CBM) and Seeing is Believing (SiB) project involved in free eye screening and giving treatments and glasses to school children.

He has served in various capacities in the Nigerian Optometric Association ranging from Organising and overseeing World Sight day programs between 2017 – 2019, world glaucoma week to being in charge of Optometry interns amongst others.

He is the founder and Chairman of Committee for establishment of Association of Young Doctors of Optometry formerly known as Young Optometrists Forum (YOF) a legally recognized body that represents the interests of Young Optometrists in Nigeria.

Dr Francis is an all rounder, astute in clinical practice and excellent in advocacy.