Promoting Vision 2020: The Right to Sight to eliminate avoidable blindness through capacity building in Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Caribbean

Promoting Vision 2020: The Right to Sight to eliminate avoidable blindness through capacity building in Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia and

the Caribbean Region

Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean

St.Lucia Blind Welfare Association

A Partnership between

This project is funded by the European Union

Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti

Project Objectives

Reduce the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment amongst rural and poor populations in the Caribbean

Strengthen collaboration and coordination between government, NGO and private stakeholders at regional and national level to support effective implementation of programmes for the provision of inclusive services to persons who are blind or visually impaired

Build the capacity of Project Partners and V2020 Committees in Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica and St Lucia to establish and strengthen mechanisms and approaches to develop, implement and monitor eye health activities that increase access to services for persons who are blind and visually impaired.


Problems to be addressed:

Poor coordination between governments, NGOs and the private sector

Lack of planning and weak implementation of national eye health strategies and plans

Poor distribution of eye health personnel particularly in rural areas

Insufficient eye health facilities and inadequate infrastructure

Lack of awareness amongst health care personnel, decision makers and the general public.


Key Project Activities

Strengthening partner capacities, systems and processes through recruitment, training, technical support and networking activities

Development, implementation and review of National Eye Care Plans with mentoring and support for V2020 Committees

Skills development for eye health professionals, primary health care workers, teachers and program support staff

Establishing/refurbishing, equipping and modernising public and NGO eye health facilities

RAAB’s and eye health studies

Developing eye health communications using IEC materials, TV, radio, newspapers and primary health care workers


Outputs at Regional Level:

The population of the four target countries (approx 13.3m) will be sensitised on eye health seeking behaviour and prevention of blindness

6 million children and adults will be screened

3 million people will be treated for the five priority diseases

Over 75,000 surgeries or treatments will take place to prevent loss of, or restore sight

10 ophthalmologists, 15 optometrists, 23 refractionists, 54 low vision personnel, 1,240 primary & community health care workers and teachers, 21 spectacle lab personnel and 10 maintenance personnel

7 operating theatres, 13 vision centres and 5 spectacles labs


Outputs for Haiti – Coordination, Infrastructure & Communications:

CNPC representatives to attend Annual V2020 Meeting Provision of technical assistance to SHAA and CNPC-

Haiti Support for eye health Knowledge, Attitude & Practice

Studies (KAP) Establish 4 Vision Centres (diagnostic, refractive and

low vision services)- Establish 3 Surgical Theatres Establish 1 Spectacle Lab National Communications/Awareness Program,

including;− Media− Health professionals and policy makers− Community− World Sight Day and World Glaucoma Day activities


Outputs for Haiti – Training:

Scholarship for 3 Ophthalmologists (3 years course in Haiti)

Scholarship for 4 Optometrists (4 years course in University of Guyana)

Scholarship for 4 Refractionists (1 year course in University of Guyana)

Training for 3 Low Vision specialists

Training for 10 Low Vision Counsellors

Sensitising of 360 Health Agents (Primary Health Care workers)

Training for Dispensing Technicians, Spectacle Lab Technicians and Maintenance Technicians


Schedule of Activities

Activity 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

CNPC representatives attend Annual V2020 Meeting

1 1 1 1 1

Provision of technical assistance to SHAA and CNPC

Support for eye health Knowledge, Attitude & Practice Studies (Max 4)

2 2

Establish 4 Vision Centres (diagnostic, refractive and low vision services)

1(Eliazard Germain)

2(St. Marc & SHAA)

1

Establish 3 Surgical Theatres 1(Eliazard Germain)

1(St.

Marc)

1

Establish 1 Spectacle Lab 1

(SHAA)

National Communications/Awareness program

Vehicle for project & outreach 1

Support Ongoing

Ongoing

Schedule of Activities


Activity 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Scholarship 3 Ophthalmologists (3 year course in Haiti)

3

Scholarship 4 Optometrists (4yr course in University of Guyana)

1 3

Scholarship 4 Refractionists (1yr course in University of Guyana)

2 1 1

Train 3 Low Vision specialists 3

Train10 Low Vision Counsellors

10

Train 360 Health Agents (Primary Health Care workers)

100 100 100 60

Train 4 Dispensing Technicians,

2 Spectacle Lab Technicians &

2 Maintenance Technicians

2 1 1

1 1

2

Activity 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Scholarship 3 Ophthalmologists (3 year course in Haiti)

Scholarship 4 Optometrists (4yr course in University of Guyana)

Scholarship 4 Refractionists (1yr course in University of Guyana)

2 2

Train 3 Low Vision specialists 3

Train10 Low Vision Counsellors

10

Train 360 Health Agents (Primary Health Care workers)

100 100 100 60

Train 4 Dispensing Technicians,

2 Spectacle Lab Technicians &

2 Maintenance Technicians

2 2

1 1

2

6 students for 3 years

3 students


Funding, Duration & Support

Project 74% funded by the European Commission

Component funding – 26% from Sightsavers & CCB

5 year project

Commencing January 2010, ending December 2014

Technical support from Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and International Centre for Eye Care Education (ICEE)

Further details available from SHAA, CNPC, CCB and Sightsavers

THE END

Documents

Promoting Vision 2020: The Right to Sight to eliminate avoidable blindness through capacity building in Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Caribbean