Kampala.
Makerere University has launched an optometry (eye care) centre at its hospital which health experts believe will boost training of professionals and provide access to affordable optical treatment in Uganda.
Optometry is the practice or profession of examining eyes by suitable instruments or appliances for defects in vision and eye disorders in order to prescribe corrective lenses or other appropriate treatment.
Makerere University started teaching optometry in 2014. Currently, 11 students are admitted on the programme. Twenty more students are expected to join this year.
Speaking at the launch of Optometry Centre on Thursday, the principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Prof Charles Ibingira, noted that there are few trained eye professionals available in Uganda to provide the desired eye care services.
“We have about nine optometrists in Uganda and only about four are registered. I stand to be corrected. Uganda’s whole population of about 40 million people is being treated by those few professionals,” Prof Ibingira said.
He said if government is interested in maintaining standards and professional ethics, the Ministry of Health should push for a law to regulate optometry practice in the Uganda.
The State minister for Primary Healthcare, Dr Joyce Moriku, State minister for Public Service, Mr David Karugaba, Australian Ambassador to East Africa John Feakes and a delegation from University of New South Wales led by vice chancellor Prof Ian Jacobs attended the launch of the Optometry Centre.
The vision centre has been equipped with modern eye treatment machines with funding from the Australian government; University of New South Wales; Brien Holden Vision Institute, an Australian international NGO dealing in eye care research and vision and; Light for the World, a European confederation of national development NGOs for saving eyesight.
A memorandum of understanding between Makerere University and all the partners was signed for long term support to optometry in Uganda.
“Eye care service availability in Uganda has been limited largely to surgical and emergency management of eye diseases,” said Prof Kovin Naidoo, the CEO of Brien Holden Vision Institute.
He added: “We hope that with the new sustainable model, we are developing by ensuring that optometry is an integral part of eye care on national level, and by expanding the range of services and strengthening referral pathways, Uganda will be able to overcome some of the current eye health barriers.”
editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
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