Historic first Ophthalmic Association established in East TimorFor the first time in history, East Timor now has an association for all eye-care workers.
Optometry Giving Sight funds the optometric input into the East Timor Eye Program through the support of ProVision Optometry Teams, who provide primary eye care services and training for local staff. However, until recently, there has been no collective body for the local eye-care workers.
Michael Knipe, an Australian optometrist and a member of the ProVision teams, attended a meeting in Dili on January 19, where over 30 workers met to draft a constitution for the newly established 'Ophthalmic Association of Timor Leste' (AOTL).
“This is another important step along the way in making eye care in East Timor self sufficient and sustainable,” said Mr. Knipe.
Optometry Giving Sight began directing significant funds to East Timor Eye Program in 2007. The ProVision Optometry Teams work in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, the East Timor Eye Program and the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand to provide all aspects of vision care.
Clive Miller, CEO of Optometry Giving Sight, highlighted the significance of such a development.
“We are thrilled to support such an important step towards eliminating preventable blindness in East Timor,” he said.
“The East Timor project objectives focus on how the training and mentoring of local eye care professionals is paramount in providing a long term solution for the people of East Timor, so this is truly an exciting occasion.”
Mark Cushway, editor of mivision, recently visited the East Timor Eye Project. You can read about his time in the March 2012 edition of mivision, or online here
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Top photo: The newly established Opthalmic Association of Timor Leste
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