The Registrar of the Optometry Council, Mr. Sebastiano Millanzi, has issued a stern warning to optometry professionals operating without valid licenses, urging them to renew their service permits through the Health Practitioner Registration System (HPRS) under the Ministry of Health.
Speaking on April 10, 2025, in Tanga during a joint supervision exercise, Mr. Millanzi emphasized the importance of compliance with licensing regulations to ensure accountability and quality service delivery in the optometry sector.
“Failing to renew your license on time can hinder your ability to carry out your duties legally and freely. It is a violation of the Optometry Act, Chapter 23 of 2007,” he said.
Mr. Millanzi also called on owners of optometry facilities that are not yet registered to immediately formalize their operations through the HPRS. He further advised those who have registered but not updated their facility information to do so promptly.
“Failure to update your facility’s registration details can lead to penalties, including fines of no less than five million Tanzanian shillings, or even closure of the facility,” he cautioned.
During his visit to Bombo Regional Referral Hospital in Tanga, Mr. Millanzi encouraged optometry professionals to adopt innovative approaches to strengthen service delivery and meet growing public demand.
“Enhance outreach services for eye care, especially in remote areas where many people are in need but unable to access services due to distance,” he urged.
The joint supervision exercise in Tanga covered seven facilities and is part of an ongoing nationwide effort to monitor and improve the quality of optometry services across the country.
