August 30th marked the end of the first year of the Nouveau Québec sans Frontières three-year funding by the Quebec Ministry of International Relations to IRIS Mundial. We would like to present a brief report covering the last year of our two partners benefiting from this funding to implement a Program for Prevention and Fight against Blindness (PPFB) (from September 2021 to August 2022):
Limbe PPFB, Haiti, managed by CEDI-VE
- Ophthalmological equipment was purchased in Quebec and sent by boat
- A videoconference room was installed on site with equipment shipped from Quebec
- A brand new and more robust concrete roof was built. Click here to see pictures.
- A second nurse was hired for the PPFB last fall and an assistant coordinator position was open at CEDI-VE to support the general coordinator
- A few radio spots are playing to raise awareness about vision health. Click here to listen to a segment in Creole.
- A professional coach supports the CEDI-VE management to improve the overall services offered at the centre
- 3 remote training sessions were provided to the PPFB team.
PPFB Results:
o 888 screenings (549W and 339M), including 121 children
o 379 ophthalmology consultations (244W and 135M)
o 2 cataract surgery
Country context: The severe socio-political crisis in the country and the unprecedented fuel shortage prevented the resumption of mobile clinics after the pandemic and greatly affects patient attendance: people travel as little as possible…
Here is an article that was published last April on the PPFB after more than 9 years of existence.
St. Louis PPFB, Senegal, managed by ASV
- Ophthalmological equipment and eyeglass frames were sent from Quebec
- 9 remote mentoring sessions were held during which the nurses of the program had the opportunity to exchange with a volunteer optometrist from IRIS Mundial, Dr. Marie-France Duguay
- Several radio spots have been produced during which various PPFB professionals talk about the program and raise awareness about eye health.
- 11 mobile screening clinics were held in schools and remote communities in the St. Louis region
- Eye health and visual hygiene awareness sessions were given during the mobile clinics.
PPFB Results:
o 3925 screenings (2029M and 1896W) including 1479 children
o 545 patients seen by a senior ophthalmic technician
o 166 patients seen by an ophthalmologist
o 2 surgeries performed
In addition, IRIS Mundial finances the two-year training in optics of Mamour Kamara in Mali. He will take over from the ASV optician when he retires. Here is the article that was written about it.
Here is a short video created in French about the St. Louis PPFB and here is an article in French that describes the visit of a MRIF’s representative, Mrs. Julie Gervais, to the PPFB last October 24.
Congratulations to our partners for implementing activities that provide vision care to those in need!
