Changing Lives in East Timor
Part of these funds has already been used to purchase a new Retinomax Auto Refractor Keratometer to assist the PVOT teams who are volunteering their services in East Timor*. The
Auto Refractor was shipped to Dili in January and will be used by volunteer optometrists working as part of the East Timor Eye Program (ETEP).
Australian optometrists have played an important role in the ETEP since it’s creation in 2001 and particularly through the management of the optometry teams by ProVision since 2003.
“On our first visit to the remote Oecussi district we provided reading glasses to over 100 teachers. Many of these teachers had previously not been able to see normal sized print!” said coordinator Andrew Maver. Micheal Knipe, Chairman of ProVision added, “In the early days it was not unusual to have over 1000 people waiting to be seen when the team arrived. ETEP’s role has progressed from pure service delivery to training and mentoring local ophthalmologists and optometrists.
ETEP’s goal is to make East Timor self-sufficient in the provision of eye care by 2008. It is wonderful to see the local eye care practitioners gaining skills and confidence and taking leading roles in the future provision of eye care in East Timor.”
In 2008 the PVOT program will see an emphasis on regional areas, establishing eye centres with the support of President Jose Ramos-Horta. A new purpose built eye clinic has also been agreed on with the government as part of the re-development of the Dili National Hospital.
“Rarely does the opportunity to make such a profound difference to so many people present itself. mproving vision in East Timor has many flow-on benefits to the people and their country that makes involvement worthy and worthwhile” said Micheal Knipe.
* Our thanks to BOC Ophthalmic Equipment for their assistance with this purchase.
