Monday 24 August 2015

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM WORLD OPTOMETRY CONGRESS,MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA

Dr.Imrah Khan, Dr.Priya and Dr.Anne Ebri after a presentation


















Dr.Uduak Udom the new WCO president poses with NOA delegates to the World Optometric Congress

WCO Announces International Optometrists Awards Winners

 

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) has announced the recipients of three prestigious international awards recognising outstanding contributions to optometry.  The announcement was made during the WCO/FEDEPTO 1st World Congress of Optometry, 14 – 16 August in Medellin in Colombia. 


Dr.Allan Jones receives award
Professor George Woo OD PhD FAAO was presented with The World Council of Optometry (WCO) Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s vision and mission. Professor Woo’s illustrious career in optometric practice and research has spanned more than 50 years and three continents. Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to provide optimal visual care to those in need.  In the 1970s, he developed the renowned and Center for Sight Enhancement (CSE) in Canada - a programme for the evaluation and treatment of patients requiring high technology adaptive devices and an inspiration to optometrists worldwide. Through his clinical research, Professor Woo has made substantial contributions in the field of low vision rehabilitation and the study of contrast sensitivity, and he has authored numerous papers, chapters, and texts. He is currently providing low vision care at Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong and at Sun Yat-sen University in China. 

The WCO International Optometrist Award for outstanding contribution to the development of the profession of optometry worldwide, and to the community at large has been awarded to three individuals as the standard of nominations was so high:  Dr Allan OD, Dr Shehzad A. Naroo PhD, FIACLE, FAAO, FBCLA and Dr Bina Patel OD FAAO
Dr Jones has worked with Canadian Vision Care (CVC) for more than 25 years, delivering comprehensive and integrated care in the developing world. Among his many notable achievements are the creation in 2008 of the first school of optometry in Malawi to tackle avoidable blindness and vision impairment in disadvantaged communities in Southern Africa, and now training and graduating optometrists.  He is also the Canadian Director of Specs Eyetrain in Manila, Philippines, and was instrumental in renovating and transforming an old, derelict train into a full-scope eye clinic, which also trains optometric students.

m/fDr Naroo has dedicated himself to furthering the development of optometry since graduation.  He is a respected lecturer, researcher, educator, practitioner and opinion leader. He has authored and co-authored more than 120 peer reviewed and non-reviewed publications and has successfully supervised 8 PhD students.  He makes regular visits to India and Pakistan to aid in teaching of optometrists and ophthalmology residents at numerous institutions, and arranges voluntary trips to hospitals and universities in India and Pakistan for others.  He has also secured more than £1million funding from UK companies for these institutions. 
 
Dr Patel has become a world-renowned figure in optometric education.  She has been instrumental in developing post graduate educational programs in optometry internationally, and has lectured in numerous countries.  An enthusiastic and active volunteer, she puts her clinical skills to use providing eye services to the underserved population in Latin America and is also working as a certified image reader at the Joslin Diabetes Center’s Beetham Eye Institute which specialises in diabetes eye care.  She also works to shape and promote optometry and increase access to high quality eye care for all, through serving on several committees such as the Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanities (VOSH) region committee, American Schools and Colleges of Optometry- International Optometric Education Committee and as a committee member for World Council of Optometry.
Dr, Bina Patel receives award
France Nxumalo was presented with The Paul Berman Young Leader Award.  This award was established in partnership with the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Essilor International, Lions Clubs International Foundation and Special Olympics , and is presented to an optometrist who has made an outstanding contribution over time to the achievement of WCO’s vision and mission and shows promising future leadership in world optometry. Aged just 34, France has already proven himself to be a formidable asset to optometry and to eye care in South Africa and Southern Africa.  He joined the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) in 2010, and his achievements there have had a significant impact in the fight against avoidable blindness.  Among the projects he has contributed to are: the screening of 1 million people in Kwazul-Natal, key policies and eye health care strategies in South Africa, and advocacy that has created 55 additional optometry positions and established optometry services in the poorest rural and urban communities in South Africa.  
France Nxumalo receives WCO award
George Woo receives his WCO award
Speaking at the awards presentation in Colombia, Dr Susan Cooper, WCO President, said: “Each and every one of these award winners has made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion and furtherance of their profession, and to supporting the WCO in realising our vision of a world where optometry makes high quality eye health and vision care accessible to all people. They are all truly deserving of our recognition, respect and commendation. Their achievements are inspirational and I am delighted to have been able to publicly acknowledge them here at the 1st World Conference of Optometry
 
Culled from WorldOptometry.Org



CHEERS AND JEERS FROM ABUJA

The 39th Nigerian Optometric Association AGM/Conference took place a month ago at the International Conference Centre in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Participants had high expectations considering the fact that a similar event had taken place in Abuja four years ago, with rave reviews and commendations.

However, the hullabaloo surrounding the reduction of credit points that had been advertised for the conference/expo and subsequent removal of the word, 'international' from the event vocabularies caused some stir. But the maturity and decorum exhibited by Optometrists and the smooth organization of the Optometry meet calmed angered nerves and everybody focused on the business of the moment.

It's been weeks after the NOA conference/AGM but the memories of Abuja remain evergreen. While, Optometrists are already looking forward to the next Optometry meet which has been billed to take place in the Eastern zone in 2016; it will be imperative to look at the good, the bad and the ugly of the Abuja conference. This will serve as a pointer to NOA and the organizers of the next annual event. As regards better organized conference and AGMs, Optometrists in Nigeria can only ask for more.

OPTOMETRY EXCELLENCE brings you the CHEERS and JEERS of the Abuja 2015, NOA conference/AGM. Feel free to add yours. Enjoy your reading.

CHEERS

Pre-Conference Workshop

This innovation from NOA really hit the bull's eye. afco..others.. At a time Optometrists are so used to power-point presentations which normally provide a theory approach to clinical and research topics, the workshop provided hands on training and mentorship to Optometrists on instrumentation, clinical procedures and research. A kudos goes to the Family of Optometric Mentors for the sterling idea.

Quality Resource Persons



Prof. Don Lyon making a presentation
With a resource person like Professor Don. W. Lyon present and the depth and quality of his presentations; Optometrists were inspired to learn and do more clinically. He brought an international touch to the conference.  The other resource persons also stood well on their own and gave rich presentations, many of which reflected the theme of the conference Advancing Optometry in Nigeria: Research and Ethics.

Simultaneous Scientific Sessions

Abuja brought some intellectual class to the annual Optometry meet by re-introduction of simultaneous scientific sessions which was started in Abuja 'Unity' 2011 and last seen at the Lagos 'Excellence' 2012 conference/AGM.

Cosy and Spacious Venue
Dinner Nite
The beautiful, huge and expensive International Conference Centre, Abuja which was the venue of the conference/AGM was a delight to Optometrists. The edifice, which is one of the national landmarks in Abuja was roomy enough and the audio and visual devices for the scientific session were second to none. The Award nite/dinner also took place at the same venue. In Abuja, there were no instances of Optometrists standing up because the seats were not enough.

A 'uniformed' Opening Ceremony

Whether it was pre-arranged or it was a coincidence, Optometrists had something delightful to watch at the opening ceremony. Optometrists in Nigeria Army, Airforce, Navy, Police and Road Safety Corps attended the event dressed up in their uniforms. It had never happened in this magnitude before. It showed that Optometrists were making in-roads in various sectors, a fact that reflects the conference theme on advocacy.
Optometrts in the military and paramilitary pose with the incumbent and Immediate past NOA presidents and the former Head of Service of Nigeria, Ms Ama Pepple

Signing in and Out of Scientific Sessions

The young Optometrists that handled the signing in and out for delegates at the conference did it with much dexterity and dynamism. Optometrists were pleased to say goodbye to the swipe cards 'invented' at the Lagos conference, which ended up causing more problems and confusion. It was a victory of organized manual efforts over digital technology.

Straight to the point AGM

It is never possible for NOA AGM to address all the burning issues, but the NOA excos were able to curtail events at the meeting. Excitedly, the kind of heat especially form younger colleagues observed at the Asaba AGM was absent.

Quick Issue of Conference Certificates

Certificates were issued in good time. Though similar efforts had been made in the last four conferences but it was improved upon this time round.

Conference Registration Made Easy

With an avalanche of polite and attractive personnel at the desks, conference registration were done for delegates with little or no hiccups.

JEERS

A Drab Opening Ceremony

Despite the colourful nature of the opening ceremony, the event  was not as engaging as that of the last conference in Asaba. There were mix ups in the order of protocols observed, for example the order of recognition of high ranking military personnel was flawed. And some dignitaries who were meant to be on the high table were omitted, notably, was the guest speaker.

The 10/15 unit controversy

Though the last minute notice that the credit unit to be awarded for the conference will be 10 points instead of 15 minutes generated a lot of complaints and arguements. The conference/AGM went on as if it was not an issue, but a lot of murmurs from Optometrists in that line lingered on.

Little or No Presence of Pharmaceutical Companies

Unlike other conference exhibition stands, there were very few pharmaeutical companies. Perhaps it was due to the hike n the fee for the exhibition stand. Many notable pharmaceutical firms were missed.
In between these cheers and jeers, some developments were worth analyzing.

The 'Ashoebis' at the Opening Ceremony

Well they were not ashoebis, neither were they ushers. They were the delegates from NOA Imo State Chapter. The creative thinking Optometrists came up with something different. Their regalia brought mixed feelings. While some looked at them in admiration, others felt they went over  board reminding us of the uniformed political cheer leaders of Umuahia conference. Well, however, one might see them, the Owerri team added colour to the event.

And Did You See That Bus?

Obviously one of the coolest sights was the double decker bus provided by the LOC for sight seeing around Abuja metropolis. Optometrists had an exciting time, when they were taken around town.

                                                                               

 Picture Credit: Aliche Victor, Dania Terry, Kingsley Ezebuiro, Ohaka Sharon

Tuesday 14 July 2015

TODAY'S POSER:THE BURDEN OF O.D. PART 1

Imagine, an O.D. holder practicing for years and receiving peanuts as salary. Imagine, how difficult it is to get employed in the public sector. Imagine, how difficult it is, to raise funds and start your private practice.
Imagine, a situation where you are gainfully employed in a private clinic for several years where you are struggling to make ends meet and your little cousin, an MBBS holder wraps up his housemanship and brings a car home aswell as a letter of employment to a teaching hospital. And your entire relateives know you as the 'senior doc' and him the 'junior doc'. Maybe, the solution will be, to summon the elders and tell them,. ''plsss o!..pls..his own doctor is MBBS, mine is OD''
Is that..? This is a problem that needs creative solutions. Drop your comments.

Monday 13 July 2015

AOPHCN On the March, Interim Excos Come on Board !

The Association of Optometrists in Public Health Care of Nigeria(AOPHCN) after its meeting(at the period of NOA Conference) chose interim excos to pilot the affairs of the association for the time being. The new excos(From R-L) in the picture are:
Dr Uwaoma Daniel Benue state,PRO,
Dr Okechukwu Egbuluche Ebonyi State ,Fin Secretary,
Dr Hellen Udo Delta State,Treasurer

Dr Anderson Benue State National coordinator/President ,
Dr Temple Nwosu Kogi State ,National Secretary,
Dr Emenike Abuja Asist Secretary.

Interestingly, AOPCHN which is now fully incorporated and affiliated with NOA as the umbrella body for Optometrists in Government ad Public Health institutions, was given a certificate by the NOA at the Dinner/Award night during the NOA Conference/AGM in Abuja



 

Monday 6 July 2015

It's finally Over! DAY 4: NOA AGM/CONFERENCE, ABUJA 2015


In the AGM, the president of NOA welcomed all and the designated excos gave the financial statement for the year and hauled out their achievements in their first year of administration. Some of these achievements include;
Extending hands of friendship  across the pre-election divide.
Uniting the public sector based pro-optometric groups.
NOA aligned forces with NUAHP(Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals). NUAHP is an arm of JOHESU(Joint Health Sector Union).
Initiating and staging the first  NOA town hall meeting were  salient issues were raised and creative ideas were generated for the general house.
Initiating the Optometric mentoring programme, the Family of Optometric Mentors(FOM), which is gaining strength and making impact.
Inspiring an unprecedented World Sight Day and World Glaucoma Day celebrations with highly coordinated activities across the states.
A new befitting website www.noang.org
Regularly meeting the chapter chairmen and carrying them along.
Optometrists okayed all the town hall meeting resolutions except that which suggests that there should be an annual delegates conference instead of the annual conference by all.
The ODORN explained the rationale behind the contracting of the CPD(Continuing Professional Development) and what the board has been doing in their role in regulating Optometry practice.
The body also highlighted other packages for its members in the area of indemnity insurance for members. Indemnity insurance was tied to license. Without it, the board may not renew members license. A scheme with banking institutions to enable Optometrists acquire instruments for beefing up their practice was also initiated.
The 4th Day of the Abuja 2015 NOA Conference/AGM was wrapped up with a colorful dinner/ award night at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. In the event, NOA scored another first, by giving an a score card/analysis of World Sight Day, 2014 activities in the various states. The Imo State and FCT chapter tied in the first position while Anambra and Lagos State were placed second and third respectively.
The Fellowship of Nigerian Optometric Association(FNOA) were conferred on deserving Optometrists while Prof. E.U. Ikonne was conferred the 'Optometrist of the Year.' Dr. Ikechukwu Nwakuche was given an award for meritorious service.
Optometrists were treated to a powerful music display by the amazing Atilogwu dancers.

Saturday 4 July 2015

NOA BUS RIDE!

Optometrists were treated to a bus ride through Abuja metropolis. It was a thing of joy to the delegates as they sighted various landmarks in the city.



Picture Credit: Victor Aliche