WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN PACIFIC BUREAU REGIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL
CO~TTEE
WPRlRC57ING0l15
Fifty-seventh session Auckland, New Zealand 18-22 September 2006
22 September 2006 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
Agenda item 17
STATEMENT BY MR NOEL CHUA REPRESENTATIVE, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETIESIINTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY (IFOSIICO) Mr Chairman, Your Excellencies and Distinguished Delegates: The International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS) was established in 1933 and composed of national organizations, subspecialties and other societies related with ophthalmology. The executive arm is the International Council of Ophthalmology (lCO). ICOIIFOS primary focus is on elevating the level of eye care worldwide with special emphasis in the developing world. A member of the Board of the International Agency of Prevention of Blindness, the organization is committed to the implementation of VISION 2020, The Right to Sight and has taken leadership in the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) Human Resources Working Group. Recognizing the unmet public need for eye care _ where at least 161 million people are severely visually impaired 37 million blind and 124 million with low vision _ _ burden of blindness is greatest in the least developed regions of the globe global vision loss certain to increase in developing countries due to population growth and ageing unless concerted action is taken Recognizing the critical shortage of health service providers in WH057 identified countries, IFOS/ICO determined the key issues related to training particularly in developing countries
WPRlRC57 ING0l15
page 2 Recognizing the critical shortage of health service providers in WH057 identified countries, IFOSIICO determined the key issues related to training particularly in developing countries not enough ophthalmologists mal-distribution not enough training programme not focused on public need, e.g. community eye health lack of infrastructure and professional development for those who are trained The IFOS/ICO, in coordination with IAPB, accepted the c:hallenge in providing the leadership for training of ophthalmologists and personnel needed to meet the public requirement for eye care and work within the National Vision 2020 programme of each country. The IFOSIICO goals are: increase access of quality eye care worldwide improve existing training programmes to world standard, i.e. curricula for residents, medical students, allied professionals, Residency Programme Directors develop training programmes for each eye care team member (ophthalmologist, specialist, middle-level eye personnel, nurses, managers, and eye health worker) provide continuing professional development and access to new infrastructure, scientific discoveries and evidence-based practice (International Clinical Guidelines, Basic and Clinical Assessments, ICO Fellowship Programme) in internationally competent and qualified eye care professional The Vision 2020 Human Resource Working Group, which IFOSIICO is heading under the leadership of Dr Bruce Spivey, President ofICO is dedicated to optirrlizing and expanding training of eye care personnel around the world and will provide technical support for planning and implementation of efforts to enhance training. It will also develop Regional Centre of Excellence (6 centres are envisioned) Indonesia and Nigeria are online for 2006-2007 Carl Zeis contribution of $200,000 support International WHO Collaborating Centre
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Global Resource Centre Regional Resource Centre National Resource Centre With World Health Assembly resolution WHA59.25 adopted in May 2006, IFOS/lCO: A.
calls on Ministers ofWPRO countries to: to develop and strengthen eye care services and integrate them in the existing health care system, including training and re-training of health workers in visual health
B.
calls on the Director-General to: provide support to collaboration among countries for the prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment in particular in the area of training of all categories of relevant staff inclusion of prevention of blindness and visual impairment in the WHO Mediumterm Strategic Plan 2008-2013 and provide budget for 2008-2009.
Thank you for your attention.