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EASTERN AFRICA COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

EASTERN AFRICA COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS . Kenneth Kagame EACO President. Topic . Residency training; a case for EACO. What is EACO ?. EACO is a virtual college which started in 2005 as an association of 5 residency training programmes in East Africa, namely; Uganda - Makerere

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EASTERN AFRICA COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

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  1. EASTERN AFRICA COLLEGE OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS Kenneth KagameEACO President

  2. Topic Residency training; a case for EACO

  3. What is EACO ? • EACO is a virtual college which started in 2005 as an association of 5 residency training programmes in East Africa, namely; Uganda -Makerere -Mbarara Tanzania -Muhimbili, Dar -KCMC, Moshi Kenya -Nairobi • Currently draws its membership from eight countries including: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Ethiopia and Zambia

  4. Its Mission ‘to increase the numbers of ophthalmologists and improve the quality of eye care in EA’ through;

  5. Main objectives -Training… residents, CPDs, subspecialisation -Research, for evidence based policy and practice -Infrastructure devt; physical and equipment -Set standards for professional ophthalmic practice -Contribute to health policy development

  6. Why was it formed ? Professors. Klauss, Abiose, Ogada did an evaluation of Ophthalmology Residency programs in East Africa and found that; • Training of Ophthalmologists unsatisfactory in quantity and quality • Skeleton or less than skeleton faculty, lecturers • lecturers needed further training, subspecialisation • Poorly equipped, (teaching aids, clinic and theatre ) • Inadequate library, print and electronic • WHO/PBL/98.71

  7. Recommendations The report recommended: • A harmonised curriculum for Eastern Africa • Improve academic capacity of teaching staff, Subspecialisation • Emphasis on quantity and quality of research • Enhanced partnerships of NGOs & others with National govts to support training; • Develop links with other training institutions in more resourced regions around the globe EACO is part of the response

  8. What we have achieved • Organizational development – EACO has institutionalized effectively • Subspecialisation and skills enhancement for several faculty members • Scholarships for residents • We are supporting several big and quality eye health research projects in EA • Established links with universities and College in the North, especially UK- RCOphth, Bristol, Birmingham, Royal Free, St Thomas. And Munichen

  9. Quality of training Residents • We have a curriculum of EACO which all residency programs have used as a template for their local curriculum • Harmonised examination format • Exchange of lecturers, and examiners • Material support for residents (e.g. books, equip) • Exchange of residents, rotations to sister Univ • A Fellowship examination; -once a year , still voluntary

  10. Increasing number of Residents • Full Residency sponsorship x 3 • Partial support to Residents x 30 • Residents graduating annually from the 5 Universities increased from less than 10 to 30 by 2012 • We believe we have contributed significantly by -advocacy – raised profile of ophthalmology -enhanced attractive programs -scholarships

  11. Training trainers, lecturers • Link program with RCOphth , UK: -Curriculum development -Trained examiners for the local Fellowship -CPD standardisation and accreditation -Attended each others Fellowship exams as observer • Link program to UK University Hospitals; -short term visits • Link to India….Aravind and LV Prasad -for skills enhancement for the faculty We are exploring possibilities of transforming this trilateral arrangement into a full fellowship course

  12. Infrastructure Development • Procured equipment for each of the 5 Depts • Reference books for individuals and libraries • Construction -just completed a Dept block for Mbarara -plans ready for Makerere, Nairobi and Muhimbili

  13. Research • Trained researchers (Residents and Academic staff) at several workshops in collaboration with AVRI • Currently sponsoring 6ongoing research projects, Including one on ‘Why are young doctors not choosing Ophthalmology for PG studies’ We are looking for international seasoned researchers for collaboration • To mentor our young researchers • To bring in resources

  14. Our medium to long term wish/objective is • For our citizens to have access to QUALITY EYE CARE • All our ophthalmology residents to qualify with our FELLOWSHIP • Fellowship to obtain international accreditation • FEACO to be the exit exam to practice in our Region • Each of our Depts to establish itself as a Centre of Excellence in its chosen subspecialty field, eg Retina, etc for service and training • Enhanced collaboration between Govts, and other developmental partners in resource mobilisatiion for training • Functional South to South, and South to North Links • More sharing resources between our Universities

  15. Acknowledgement to those who have seen us thru infancy -Sight Savers -Light For the World -OEU -CBM -MEACO/PBU, -European Union -FHF, -RCOphth, UK -AVRI, -LVPEI - Aravind, -and others.

  16. Thank you for listening!

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