Passing the Torch: A New Ghana Country Representative Joins HCP
A key factor to HCP Cureblindness’ success lies with our Country Representatives. Our Country Representatives help guide conversations and implement initiatives for HCP Cureblindness to make improvements to eye care systems in their respective countries.
At the end of March, Dr. Oscar Debrah ended his formal role as the HCP Country Representative for Ghana.
Dr. Debrah came out of retirement to serve in the role in 2017. His distinguished career in ophthalmology began shortly after receiving his first pair of glasses. During his time as a country representative, he helped grow our network from four to 13 implementing partners and recruited new ophthalmic practices to participate in the National Cataract Outreach Program (NCOP) to help eliminate the backlog of patients awaiting care. Dr. Debrah was instrumental in helping HCP Cure Blindness establish the NCOP.
Under Dr. Debrah’s leadership, the HCP Cureblindness Ghana Program was able to significantly increase its impact. In 2021, our partners provided just over 12,000 surgeries - almost 3.5 times what was achieved in 2017!
While Dr. Debrah leaves big shoes to fill, our next country representative is up for the challenge.
Dr. James Addy, who will now be serving in this role, is following in Dr. Debra’s footsteps. Dr. Addy just retired as the Eye Health Coordinator for Ghana Health Services - the same position Dr. Debrah held before retirement and before joining HCP.
HCP Cureblindness has spent the last five years working with Dr. Addy; he led the NCOP team when it launched in 2018 at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua, Ghana.
Dr. Addy shared that he knows he has big shoes to fill but he is ready to collaborate closely with HCP and move forward in the effort to eliminate cataract blindness and empower young eye health personnel.
At HCP Cureblindness, we are very appreciative of Dr. Debrah’s service and look forward to continued success with Dr. Addy.
