Training Update
Ambitious start to the year includes Cornea and SICS Training, Uveitis Course, ICO Exam Preparation and Trainee Report from the field
The role of training has always been central to the work of the HCP, particularly because we recognize that quality surgery must be the cornerstone of an effort to address cataract blindness and the vast majority of surgery must be performed by trained local personnel. This perspective underlies our every effort to train local providers at all levels – from sub-specialty ophthalmologists to nurses to equipment technicians - and to establish a viable eye care infrastructure.
To-date in 2018, we’ve supported in-house workshops on cornea and cataract surgery techniques at partner institutions with subject matter for residents as well as practicing ophthalmologists. We’ve also supported subspecialty fellowships, including Dr. Teshager Wondale who completed a pediatric fellowship at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Tanzania. The following update and reports from the field capture some of our recent training activity.
February 11-18: Cornea Workshop in Ghana
Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) Co-Founder, Dr. Geoff Tabin spent a week in Ghana where he conducted cornea training at the Crystal Eye Center in Accra with the clinic’s head ophthalmologist, Dr. James Clarke. Assisted by Cornea Specialist, Dr. Gladys Fordjour from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and with tissue donated by HCP Partner, SightLife, the team performed 19 cornea transplants. Dr. Tabin also spent a day lecturing at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Please enjoy this video of Dr. Tabin's trip.
|February 18 - 23: Uveitis Conference in Ethiopia
A week-long Uveitis Course, endorsed by the International Uveitis Study Group (IUSG) and the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), was organized by Dr. John Kempen of MyungSung Medical College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and incoming IUSG President Manfred Zierhut. HCP sponsored 20 ophthalmology residents and 10 faculty from Ethiopia to attend the conference in addition to 2 ophthalmologists from Ghana - Dr. Gladys Fordjour, Cornea Specialist from Korle Bu, and Dr. Amos Akins, Medical Retina Specialist and the Residency Program Director at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The Uveitis Course was convened to improve the management of uveitis in the region and provide training opportunities for local eye care personnel. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s website, “Uveitis occurs when the middle layer of the eyeball gets inflamed (red and swollen). This layer, called the uvea, has many blood vessels that nourish the eye. Uveitis can damage vital eye tissue, leading to permanent vision loss.”
Following her return to Ghana, Dr. Fordjour commented, “We’re back home and would like to thank HCP for making this trip possible and Dr. Kempen for great teaching too! We’re hoping to keep communication lines open so we can discuss our difficult cases with him going forward.”
ICO Exam Prep
HCP is continuing to sponsor ophthalmology residents in Ethiopia and Ghana to sit for the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) Basic Science and Optics & Refraction Exams.The ICO Examinations are the only worldwide medical-specialty examinations. They are independent and free of any outside influence and can be taken in the candidate’s own country. The questions are prepared by an international group of examiners and set at the same standard as the highest board and qualifying examinations anywhere. Each year, the ICO offers examinations throughout the world to help ophthalmologists evaluate their knowledge in the basic science and clinical sciences related to ophthalmology.
HCP will support 65 residents from Ethiopia and 15 from Ghana to take the exams this year. In preparation, HCP International fellow, Dr. Neda Nikpoor and Emory Eye Center’s Global Ophthalmology Fellow, Dr. Fran Wu will lead preparation courses to review test taking and content.
Training Report from the Field
Dr. Addisu Worku from Menelik II Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is currently at the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology pursuing subspecialty training in pediatrics. Please enjoy the following report about his training experience.
“My dream of being a pediatric ophthalmologist is progressing steadily, thanks to the generous support of HCP. Since being named one of the recipients of the HCP Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus scholarship, my dream is becoming a reality at Tilganga.
It’s not only the job, it’s the encouragement, guidance and the opportunities that I am presented by the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus department at Tilganga that is helping to shape who I will become. This is a wonderful time and I cherish the knowledge, experience and the memories I am currently acquiring here. The well committed academic and support staff give their very best to fuel my desire for knowledge and skill development.
At Tilganga, I am focusing on general pediatric eye diseases and pediatric ophthalmology conditions such as pediatric cataract, retinoblastoma, pediatric oculoplastics, congenital glaucoma and strabismus (including orthoptic evaluation, low vision and refraction). Pediatric Ophthalmology Department Coordinator, Dr. Srijana has established contact with the Glaucoma, Oculoplasty, and Oncology departments to widen my clinical experience on pediatric ocular problems.
Thank you personally for your generosity: Without scholarship patrons like HCP who are willing to support medical education, fellows such as myself would be unable to pursue advanced health care training in leading eye care and training institutes like Tilganga.
My passion for medicine is matched only by my love for children, so my decision to specialize in pediatric ophthalmology comes from the heart. Once again, thank you for the vote of confidence and the opportunity to pursue a fellowship as it brings me one step closer to my dream.”
