Funding for School of Optometry
Refractive error services (the need for glasses) in Southern Africa vary from poor to non-existent. Most rural areas have few, if any, qualified eye care personnel and little infrastructure through which to provide and distribute affordable spectacles.
Thanks to the support of the global optical profession, Optometry Giving Sight is co-funding the Schools of Optometry Program in Malawi. This program aims to provide a sustainable solution to the deficit of skilled eye care personnel in Southern Africa by training local people to become Optometric Technicians and Optometrists.
Over the next three years the program aims to have trained 40 Optometric Technicians and 8 Optometrists across two campuses in Malawi. This multiple entry and exit model will allow graduates from the diploma program to re-enter the system mid-way to gain the full degree qualification which will be recognized regionally. The program will create local employment and career paths for the eye care professionals themselves and access to eye care for people in need.
George Moyo (on right of picture wearing a black tie) is one of the first eight students to be undertaking the four-year optometry degree at Mzuzu University, Malawi. Once qualified, he will be licenced to practice in one of the local, regional or provincial hospitals which serve the majority of the population.
“I like the program very much (as) it is designed to save the sight of people”, said George. “I am also very proud because I am one of the pioneers of the program. Our group will be the first to graduate as optometrists in Malawi. I also enjoy practical classes because I observe the reality of what I learn theoretically in class. The course is really interesting and fun as it involves saving the sight of people who would otherwise be blind.”
The first group of Optometric Technicians will begin their two-year mid-level eye care diploma at a second campus, the Malawi College of Health Sciences based in the capital, Lilongwe, in September 2010. They will be trained primarily in refraction and basic primary eye care. Select graduates from this program will be able to register into the third year of the full optometry degree after completing a one year practical internship at a public health facility.
In addition to the actual training of the eye care professionals the program will establish two optometry clinics. These clinics will support the training and the provision of spectacles to patients. The current students are being taught in temporary classrooms but building work is just beginning on the new classrooms, lecture theatres and student accommodation.
This exciting program is funded by Optometry Giving Sight in conjunction with implementing partners: the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), Sightsavers International, Mzuzu University and the Malawi College of Health Sciences. Additional support is provided by Optometry Giving Sight Norway.
*Photo courtesy of Elin Silje Jensen / ICEE
