To address the critical skills shortage in the country, The Foundation supports a surgical training program for ophthalmology students to develop their capacity to provide high quality, low cost eye care services.
The training program is implemented through Muhimbili University of Health Allied Sciences (MUHAS), the national training institute for ophthalmologists. The aim of this activity is to reduce avoidable blindness in a sustainable way, as students are trained in screening and cataract surgery by participating in outreach activities (training camps).
The training also represents an opportunity to provide cataract services to people living outside the urban area of Dar Es Salaam, delivering accessible and affordable services to underprivileged and remote communities. Funding from The Foundation covers the cost of outreach clinic medical staff, surgical items (such as intraocular lenses) and consumables, as well as training running costs.
Since 2005, The Foundation has also been supporting a management course for eye care program managers and ophthalmologists from all over Africa, in conjunction with Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology (KCCO). Over 50 eye care personnel have been trained in management so far.
Through our program work in Tanzania, The Foundation:
- Screened 11,383 people
- Performed 551 sight restoring surgeries and interventions
- Supported the training of 5 surgeons in cataract surgery, with the surgeons performing 419 eye surgeries during their training
- Helped train 18 eye care professionals from across Africa at Kilimanjaro Centre of Community Ophthalmology
- Supplied equipment to ophthalmic graduates.
As The Foundation continues to develop the program in Tanzania, further information about our activities and initiatives will be provided.
