NSUCO - The Visionary Fall 2010

the VISIONARY • Summer/Fall 2010 19 The Haitian Society of Ophthalmology expressed concerns about the lack of regulation, control, or co- ordination of the 10,000-plus NGOs working in Haiti post-earthquake and the usefulness of the dona- tions (out-of-date items, not in good working order, inappropriate or unneeded items). Some of the services have been completely provided by foreign- ers and undermine the efforts of the local health care providers. There are currently 52 ophthalmolo- gists practicing throughout the country. Ophthalmic equipment procurement, instrument repair, oph- thalmic pharmaceuticals, and supplies are currently imported and principally provided by foreign NGO donations. A registration and regulation process for the visual health providers (local and foreign) is an identified need. Glaucoma and eye injuries are re- portedly more concerning than cataract blindness in the country. Refractive error services need to be strengthened. Public awareness of the importance of visual health as a key component in development also was discussed. As mentioned earlier in this article, the St. Vincent School for the Blind, a boarding school for an esti- mated three-to-four percent of the over 300,000 thought to be visually impaired or blind Haitians, was totally demolished and needs to be rebuilt. The Haitian Society for the Blind, which offers supportive rehabilitation aids, and orientation/mobility train- ing, was also destroyed. Low vision aids and de- vices, teaching materials for the blind, training of teachers for the blind, and community outreach services were identified needs. Advocating for uni- versal access for those with disabilities such as blind- ness or loss of limb is also a priority for SHAA in the reconstruction of buildings and transportation sys- tems in Haiti. The University Hospital, which trains ophthalmology residents and some ophthalmic assistants, needs to rebuild. The school of nursing collapsed, and many public eye care services were suspended to accom- modate the urgent care needs of trauma injuries post-earthquake. A proposal to increase ophthal- mology training to three more positions, enhance emphasis on continuing education of current eye M.D.s, and increase subspecialty competence were prioritized. “Some of the services have been completely provided by foreigners and undermine the efforts of the local health care providers.”