Our worldwide team of locally-recruited health workers and volunteers gives us ‘insider knowledge’ of a community’s needs and helps us deliver care that is sustainable to those who need it most.

Tapobrat Bhuyan, our Program Manager in India, says an entire community or village benefits from the presence of our health workers, because they help identify those who need eye care and encourage health-seeking behaviour through education and referral to other health resources in the area.

The position of community health worker is also a unique job opportunity, especially for women. 

Tapobrat recalls an instance where he was interviewing a prospective health worker in 2013. When prompted as to why she wanted the job, the woman began to cry. 

“She told me she was working in a small school, making little money. She could not afford her children’s education. However, her excellent writing skills earned her a spot on our team, where she remains to this day,” explains Tapobrat.

“The stipend she receives helped to pay for her children’s education, and one of her daughters is now a teacher.”

Once trained, community health workers survey their local community door to door, identifying eye health conditions and referring community members for care. They also collect comprehensive data on the prevalence of eye conditions so that progress can be tracked.  

Tapobrat has worked closely with community health workers across India. He says they play a key role in connecting communities with eye health care, through referral to locally-established vision centres, which we open in convenient locations based on the needs of the community.

“Community health workers are the key link between communities and the vision centre. Often, individuals are unaware of their treatment options, or fear that it will be unaffordable,” Tapobrat says.

“However, our network of community health workers helps to create demand for these services by raising awareness about their availability.” 

Staying locally informed 

Given their connection to their own communities, Tapobrat says, community health workers can help identify and dismantle local barriers that many face in accessing eye health services.  

“They provide not just screening, but also education sessions that aim to give community members more knowledge about eye health and other topics such as maternal and child health,” Tapobrat says. “These sessions empower community members to seek health care services when needed.”

Tapobrat says our approach has also led us to consult communities in the development of educational materials, including a recent project aimed at debunking feminine eye health myths.

Working with community members and a local illustrator and writer, he and our India team are creating educational materials that reflect the community’s collective identity and address local myths about eye health. Tapobrat notes that this was the first opportunity for community members to participate in this type of workshop, and it was met with success.  

“Rather than just focusing on disease, we are telling stories, which draws more interest and helps create deeper engagement. We are able to connect on a more personal level when people see themselves reflected in the materials they are shown,” he says.

Delivering eye care that is sustainable 
 
Door-to-door surveys are only one step in ensuring a community has access to eye care. Community health workers also follow up with those who were referred to the vision centre but have not yet gone, often counselling those who are hesitant to receive treatment.  

“We are constantly learning and growing, especially regarding the importance of language. For example, often people only know the word ‘operation’ when referring to treatments for conditions like cataracts, rather than terms like ‘surgery,’” explains Tapobrat.  

“We have learned from this and now encourage a multi-faceted explanation of treatment processes,” he adds.

Part of a global team

In Ghana, community health nurses recruited to our team are provided professional education at nursing colleges. After training, they are frequently deployed to rural areas.

“Local vision projects are usually announced at a community durbar, which is a gathering often held to discuss development projects,” explains Emmanuel Kwasi Kumah, our Country Director in Ghana. “Local leaders, healthcare workers and other community members are invited to attend and provide insight.”

Emmanuel is passionate about engaging the community and addressing local needs. He notes that our community health nurses also use other local platforms to promote eye health and engage community members. 

“Given the background and training of our community health nurses, they often use techniques such as focus groups at child welfare clinics to engage mothers in discussion, provide education and learn from community members,” Emmanuel explains. 

After they receive training in primary eye care, the community health nurses begin the process of surveying the area, also utilizing a door-to-door approach to ensure they reach everyone.

Emmanuel explains that they refer those with eye conditions to district hospitals, where they are further screened by ophthalmic nurses and optometrists.  

After this initial survey, community health nurses continue to observe the community’s progress and follow up on their referrals. They also help to ensure proper post-treatment care plans are followed.  

With this knowledge and feedback, community health nurses can help to dismantle local misconceptions about eye health and further increase the uptake of eye care services at the district hospitals.   

“Community members become stakeholders in the process of eliminating avoidable blindness. Together, we help create sustainable and long-lasting change,” Emmanuel adds.   

While local barriers may vary across the regions and countries we work in, the community remains at the heart of our approach.  

From India to Ghana, and beyond, we are committed to addressing local needs and learning from those we work alongside.   

Learn more about our approach.  

The post Keeping community at the heart of our approach appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

As my summer work term draws to a close, I reflect on my experience as Content Writer and what I have learned from being part of the Operation Eyesight team…

Coming from a background in political science, the term ‘development’ occupies much of the emerging research in the discipline. However, nothing compares to connecting with those who are part of this complex process and gaining access to their insight. I wanted to share a behind the scenes look at my work, and the team I have had the privilege of connecting with.

My first week, I was invited to virtually ‘meet’ Dr. Geoffrey Wiafe, an ophthalmologist in Ghana, and learn more about his work. He is tremendously dedicated to his community and tuned in to the challenges that Ghana faces in meeting its eye health needs. This meeting inspired my first published piece and was a great introduction to the work we do at Operation Eyesight.

I also had the opportunity to meet Chali Chisala Selisho, our Country Director in Zambia, as well as some of the new members of her team. Each has an impressive background in the development sector and is passionate about increasing access to eye health care and addressing local needs.

Candy Siadibbi, our Project Officer in Matero, Zambia, shared a story about a man who was unable to walk unassisted due to his visual impairment. However, after receiving sight-restoring surgery he was ecstatic to be able to walk again on his own. Candy could hardly put into words how amazing it felt to see the outcome of our work. One cannot help but be inspired by this memory and the passion she has for eye health.

I had the privilege of being part of the Marketing and Communications team. It was a pleasure to gain experience in a collaborative environment and work closely with my colleagues. Each person brings a unique skillset and sense of creativity to the team, and I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to learn and grow alongside them.

I am also glad to have had the chance to connect with the leadership team, whose openness and compassion are remarkable. It is refreshing to receive feedback from individuals who are invested in the progress of their staff and are deeply engaged in their work. Dialogue flourishes at all levels, encouraging staff to voice their perspectives and support one another.

This type of collaboration is at the heart of the work we do at Operation Eyesight. The opportunity to learn from one another is not taken for granted. I was invited to join multiple team-wide meetings during my time here, where a wealth of insight was shared and discussed. What impressed me most, though, was how tight knit our global community is. Strong relationships exist across all time zones and departments. This level of personal connection and compassion extends to all our project areas and helps to build community rapport and engagement.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to make new connections, collaborate with the team, and sharpen my writing and research skills. International development remains a keen interest of mine, and I look forward to seeing future projects and innovations that are made at Operation Eyesight.

The post Collaboration as the Key to Success: My Experience at Operation Eyesight appeared first on Operation Eyesight.

Did we mention his mother, Ruth, is also an ophthalmic nurse at the same facility?

It is no surprise that after graduating medical school, Dr. Wiafe decided to specialize in ophthalmology. Through donor support, we funded his specialist training, and today he is shaping the future of eye health care in Ghana.

As the next generation of physician partners, Dr. Wiafe reflects on the unique challenges his country is facing and the future of eye health care in Ghana. 

Looking at your family’s history with Operation Eyesight, was ophthalmology the obvious job choice?

Ophthalmology actually wasn’t my first choice. Initially I was thinking of doing pediatric surgery. After graduation, I joined my father on a couple of outreach trips, where I learned to give retrobulbar anesthesia. So, I think through that I developed an interest in ophthalmology, and here I am today.

I am sure most people think that at dinner, we just talk about eyes. It is always a pleasure to work with my dad. He has so much experience, and so far, it has been awesome.

As a physician working with Operation Eyesight, what is your role and what is the relationship with us like?

Soon after graduation I started working as a general ophthalmologist at Watborg Eye Services, and we are partners with Operation Eyesight. My main role is in outreach services – specifically surgeries. We travel to a number of district hospitals to operate, many of which are also partners of Operation Eyesight.

Operation Eyesight has supported the development of eye departments in a number of district hospitals. I have travelled to some of the facilities several times, and there are always so many cases and so much work to do.

Operation Eyesight is helping a lot of people, as in Ghana not everyone can afford surgery. Because of this partnership, the costs are subsidized and a lot of people can benefit. It’s amazing to be part of this, and I would say my main role is giving those who are blind a second chance.

What would you say is the most rewarding and motivating part of this type of work?

The number one motivator for me is accessibility, as many patients live in a rural setting. When we travel to them, it becomes much easier.

I remember operating on one man who had bilateral cataracts, and he had lost hope.

The day after surgery, he kept on shouting, “I can see, I can see, I can see!” I had tears running down my cheek, because for me, making a blind man see was amazing, and that alone motivates me. I know there is not much I can do for patients financially, but I can give them the chance to work and see their family again.

Why do you think ophthalmologists decide to partner with us?

I’ve been following Operation Eyesight for quite a while, and I know that you have projects in several African countries, as well as in South Asia, and they impact these communities in different ways.

I know of the projects in Zambia, where you are working to eliminate trachoma by bringing water to communities through the restoration of boreholes. Besides just focusing on treating these eye illnesses, Operation Eyesight is also emphasizing development, which is unique.

What projects on the horizon in Ghana are you most excited about?

What stands out to me is the ongoing training of ophthalmic nurses at the Ophthalmic Nursing School in Accra. I know we have set up a wet lab at the ophthalmic nursing school, which I would say is very timely.

I remember during my education I traveled to Cape Town, and they had a simulation wet lab where I received training for small-incision cataract surgery. I was only there for a week, but it felt like I had six months’ worth of training. So, I was excited to hear about this, and I wish we could set up a similar lab to the one in Cape Town for the ophthalmology residents.

I am also very excited about the training of community health nurses by optometrists and ophthalmic nurses. Community health nurses are trained to identify cases within the community, who are then referred to district or teaching hospitals. This is helpful, as not every patient will go to the hospital with an eye problem because it is expensive and difficult to arrange transport.

As well, with cases of glaucoma, it is initially asymptomatic, and many do not see the need to come into the hospital. Because of this, many patients present very late, and unfortunately there is not much we can do, and it is very disheartening. So, the community initiative is very important, and I am very happy that Operation Eyesight is championing this project.

Front-line healthcare staff like yourself always have great insight into how to make care better for patients and families. What would you say is the greatest need in Ghana in terms of eye care?

In Ghana, I believe we have just over 100 ophthalmologists, and most of them will be retiring in the next few years. So, there is a huge need for human resources. Beyond general ophthalmologists, we also need subspecialists, such as retinal and glaucoma specialists.

Just yesterday I was seeing an eye-trauma patient – a young boy who was unfortunately hit by a broomstick. He needed emergency surgery from a retinal specialist, but unfortunately there are very few in Ghana. I referred him, but he waited several hours. I pray that the prognosis is good.

There is such a great need for ophthalmologists in Ghana. I would like to encourage medical students to choose ophthalmology when they graduate.

There are always opportunities for other medical personnel, such as physician assistants, to receive ophthalmic training. I understand this type of training is happening in East Africa, and it could make an enormous difference to the accessibility of eye health care here in Ghana. Currently in Ghana, physician assistants mainly assist in general medicine, such as with malaria cases. With eye health care training, however, they could help see patients, to allow ophthalmologists to focus on surgery.

What does the future of eye health care look like in Ghana?

I feel that as a country, and as Africans in general, we have not done enough research. In Ghana specifically, there is an urgent need for another national blindness and visual impairment study. It will be crucial to evaluate the progress of eye health interventions that have been implemented since the inaugural study several years ago. Also, most general studies have been done in Western countries or Asia, though sometimes we have cases that are specific to a certain group or area that can then go unnoticed.

As Africans, we know a lot about glaucoma or cataract, but I believe there is more that we can still discover. It is very important for us to do research in our communities and in our environment. This is an area that has not been explored, and I think Operation Eyesight can help.

Thank you, Dr. Geoffrey Wiafe, for sharing your perspective on eye health in Ghana.

We are very fortunate to forge partnerships with such passionate and knowledgeable physicians. We look forward to developing future projects in Ghana with your support.

The post A family’s passion: an interview with Dr. Geoffrey Wiafe appeared first on Operation Eyesight.