IOA Volunteer Program
In October of 2022, the International Pediatric Eye Training (IPET) committee of the International Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Council (IPOSC) in conjunction with the International Orthoptic Association’s (IOA) Volunteer Program launched a new orthoptic training program in the Gambia at the Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Center and its Regional Ophthalmic Training Program (ROPT). The purpose for this collaboration was to 1. Meet the great need in Gambia and 2. For the opportunity to expand orthoptic education to surrounding African countries. Gambia has a population of 2.7 million and only 2 Gambian Ophthalmologists. The population is young with the median age being 19 years old. Historically there has been no pediatric eye care of any kind. The ROTP in Gambia attracts students from neighboring African countries and this program will influence the provision of eye care in Sub-Saharan Africa. The first class of students all successfully completed their final written, oral and practical examinations in July 2023 and will began their 6-month internships this September. The 3 graduates, Sutay Jobe, Alagie Salifu Sanyang and Haddy Sohna, were specially selected for inclusion in the first class. They will become the future instructors for what is to become a self sustaining orthoptic training program. IPET’S and the IOA plan is to send orthoptist volunteers to the Gambia to supervise and mentor the graduates throughout their internships. The volunteers will also function as instructors during the second academic year of the training program which began in October of 2023. The IOA volunteers are working hard to integrate the graduates into the role of instructors. Congratulations to all graduates for their hard work and their successful completion of the final exams.
Sincere thanks go to the Association of American Certified Orthoptists (AACO) for donating all the textbooks for this years orthoptic students to the Good-lite Company for donating the orthoptic equipment and to the German Committee Prevention of Blindness (DKVB) for its generous funding. Volunteer Opportunities continue to be advertised on the IOA news section of the website as they arise, and a volunteer is not found from our existing bank of volunteers. Any IOA member wishing to volunteer can access an Online application form on the IOA website. If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please scan the QR code.
