Ethiopia has a population of over 76 million,
84% of whom live in rural settings. It is one of the least developed countries in the world with a majority of its population dependent on subsistence farming.

Ethiopia has established a functioning national blindness committee through the WHO Vision 2020 Initiative. There are 80 ophthalmologists in the country although 70% live in Addis Ababa.

Grarbet Tehadiso Maheber, Butajira and Batu

Current Status of RTS collaboration:

• RTS completed a Needs Assessment visit in Feb 08’; As a result of this the need for various trainings were identified.
• Vision Building and Strategic Planning workshop was held in May’08 during which strategies for sustainability and enhancing the quality of outcomes were discussed.
• Training: SICS training for the ophthalmologists and instrument maintenance training for one person from the centre.

RTS objectives:

Overall objective: Making the eye unit sustainable and creating a replicable model for the African continent

• To increase the cataract surgery at the hospital to 5,000 and out-patients visits to 50,000 by 2011.
• Facilitate expansion of services; reaching the unreached.
• To establish the hospital as a training centre.

Setting up Optical Units in District Eye Hospitals – Tigray

District eye hospitals in the Tigray region each have an eye unit manned by an ophthalmic nurse. The centres are also part of outreach activities in the Tigray region for cataract surgeries. The ophthalmologist visits the centres on a regular basis and treats the more complicated eye problems, performing surgeries where necessary. These are all under the umbrella of the Tigray Health Bureau (state Ministry of Health).

Current Status:

• RTS completed a Needs Assessment visit for the centres in February 08’ from which the acute need for affordable spectacles in the community (to tackle visual impairment due to refractive error) was identified.
• The centres have been equipped for optical dispensing
• Three ophthalmic nurses identified by the Tigray Health Bureau were trained in optical dispensing ( Sep’08 to Nov’08) and are now back at their work
• A retinoscope was donated to each centre by RTS after the nurses had undergone their training

RTS Objectives:

• Pilot the model in three centres – Wukro, Quiha and Adua.
• Support the 3 centres with equipment
• Facilitate replication of the model to other district eye units if proven successful

Fitsum Birhan Eye Clinic – Mekelle

About:

The centre was established to complement the eye care services existing in the region and help fight needless blindness. In 2008, the centre served 22,000 outpatients and operated on 1,500 cataract patients.

Current Status:

• Needs Assessment visit was carried out in Feb’08 when the clinic was not fully operational.
• Vision Building and strategic planning workshop in May’09 which resulted in developing strategies for capacity building and sustainability of the centre
• Training of the ophthalmologist in SICS; Which has resulted in high volume with good quality cataract surgeries.

RTS Objectives:

• To establish the centre as high volume high quality affordable eye care centre
• To facilitate training services in order to increase the availability of skilled manpower
• To capacity build the centre to screen 50,000 out patients and perform 5,000 cataract surgeries by the year 2011.

Quiha Ophthalmic Training Centre – Tigray

The Quiha Opthalmic Training centre is located within the premises of the Quiha hospital. This centre is supported by a Spanish NGO called Proyecto Vision who constructed the building at the site. Training programmes for ophthalmic medical assistants and cataract surgeons have also been established to serve the Tigray region. The ophthalmologist of Quiha Zonal Hospital, Dr. Tilahun is currently heading the clinical teaching programme. To date, 46 ophthalmic medical assistants (ophthalmic nurses) have graduated and currently 5 cataract surgeons are undergoing training.

Current Status:

Needs Assessment visit was conducted by RTS in Feb’08 as a result of which it was decided that the centre should strive to be sustainable while continuing at the same pace.

RTS Objectives:

• RTS partnership with Proyecto Vision to facilitate the process of making the centre sustainable and accessible to all
• Introduction of newer relevant ophthalmic courses which would enable availability of skilled ophthalmic human resources

Quiha Zonal Hospital ( Eye ) – Tigray

Quiha Zonal Hospital, is the largest eye care provider in the Tigray region. The hospital performs large volumes of surgery at the base hospital and through its outreach programmes. The hospital is funded by a number of different organisations. The hospital also serves for rotational postings of ophthalmic residents.

Current Status:

• A new building exclusive for eye care is soon to be constructed by Proyecto Vision.
• Dr. Tilahun was supported for participation in the Eye Excel Workshop in India.
• Mr. Tesfu Haregot CEO was supported for training in hospital systems and management for eyecare at Aravind Eye Care System India
• Needs Assessment visit was carried out in Feb’08.
• Dr. Tilahun was also part of the Model Eye Care Workshop held in Nov’07 for all RTS partners at Aravind Eye Care System.

RTS Objectives:

• RTS is partnering with Proyecto Vision for the capacity building of the new centre on completion of construction and are involving other stakeholders to harness support.
• The aim is to position this hospital as a tertiary eye care centre for the region.