| Moshi Meeting |
Gender and blindness, eye disease & use of eye care services
June 17-21, 2002, Moshi, Tanzania
Organised by:
Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, Tumaini University/Kilimanjaro Christian Medical
College & British Columbia Centre for Epidemiologic & International Ophthalmology
Supported by:
Canadian Public Health Association, CIDA, IDRC & Health Canada
Background
Blindness is a global health problem affecting 40-45 million people worldwide. This figure will double over the next 25 years without
increased prevention of blindness efforts. Two-thirds of the world’s blind are women. Thus, most blind people are elderly women who live
in developing countries and have correctable cataract blindness. Cataract is not associated with poverty, however, cost is a significant
primary barrier to use of cataract surgical services and cataract blindness has become a condition associated with poverty. There is a
significant need to review existing experiences from both research and programme activities regarding gender-equity in blindness
prevention. Furthermore, there is a great need to help determine the research agenda for gender issues in blindness prevention.
Objectives of the meeting
1. Collate into one reference source existing knowledge (from research and programme perspectives) on gender and eye disease.
2. Set research agenda to determine the most cost-effective and context specific methods to reduce gender inequity in blindness and eye
care service use.
3. Coordinate research among a number of developing countries to undertake epidemiologic and anthropologic research in gender-equity
and strengthen existing and new collaborative relationships between a number of “south” research groups and Canada.
Structure of the meeting
The first day of the meeting was set aside to provide information to eye care providers within Tanzania and the region regarding gender
and blindness. The next four days were set aside for the smaller group of researchers, policy makers, and programme professionals (by
invitation only) to fulfil the objectives of the meeting.
Participants
There were approximately 30 participants on the 17 June session for eye care workers. There were 15 participants at the 4-day meeting.
The participants included epidemiologists, ophthalmologists, medical anthropologists, health educators, policy planners, and programme
directors. Dr. Mercedes Juarez represented the World Health Organisation and Mr. Brian Prozkurniak from the Canadian High
Commission represented the Canadian government (donors).
Results
The presentations by participants formed the background for discussion of relevant policy, research, and programme issues and priorities
related to gender and blindness. The presentations were compiled and are being put on CD for all participants. A copy will be sent to the
World Health Organisation and other prevention of blindness agencies.
Recommendations for research, policy and programmes dedicated to reduce the inequity in blindness, eye disease, and use of eye care
services by men and women were prepared. Attached is a copy of the draft summary and recommendations. These will be sent to all
participants for final review and revision. They will then be sent to the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the
Prevention of Blindness for dissemination.
Dr. Robert Geneau is preparing a full report of the findings from the meeting. This will be completed by the end of September 2002. It will
be sent to the donors, made available to all interested individuals, and, if there is interest and funding, published as a report.
Additional benefits
The Canadian government (through the supporting agencies) has expressed interest in supporting further research and programmes
related to improving gender equity in utilisation of eye care services. The BCEIO and KCCO will be submitting a grant to the Canadian
government to institute gender-sensitive interventions in Tanzania and elsewhere.
There is strong interest by colleagues in other countries to link research interests related to gender and blindness. In particular,
colleagues in Nepal, India and Egypt are keen to test different approaches to improving utilisation by women. The KCCO is exploring
collaborative relationships with institutions in these countries as well as continuing its collaboration with the BCEIO in Canada.
The World Health Organisation has already given the KCCO a small grant to support research in Tanzania related to gender equity in
utilisation of cataract surgical services. With the expansion of health sector reform in Tanzania WHO has expressed its interest in using
eye care as a model for demonstrating how health sector reform can be implemented while ensuring that the most vulnerable in society
receive services. WHO will be initiating contact with specific organisations in Dar to explore their interest in implementation of our models.
Dr. Juarez will return to Moshi in early October to assist the KCCO review progress.
Paul Courtright, DrPH & Susan Lewallen, MD
Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology
June 17-21, 2002, Moshi, Tanzania
Organised by:
Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, Tumaini University/Kilimanjaro Christian Medical
College & British Columbia Centre for Epidemiologic & International Ophthalmology
Supported by:
Canadian Public Health Association, CIDA, IDRC & Health Canada
Background
Blindness is a global health problem affecting 40-45 million people worldwide. This figure will double over the next 25 years without
increased prevention of blindness efforts. Two-thirds of the world’s blind are women. Thus, most blind people are elderly women who live
in developing countries and have correctable cataract blindness. Cataract is not associated with poverty, however, cost is a significant
primary barrier to use of cataract surgical services and cataract blindness has become a condition associated with poverty. There is a
significant need to review existing experiences from both research and programme activities regarding gender-equity in blindness
prevention. Furthermore, there is a great need to help determine the research agenda for gender issues in blindness prevention.
Objectives of the meeting
1. Collate into one reference source existing knowledge (from research and programme perspectives) on gender and eye disease.
2. Set research agenda to determine the most cost-effective and context specific methods to reduce gender inequity in blindness and eye
care service use.
3. Coordinate research among a number of developing countries to undertake epidemiologic and anthropologic research in gender-equity
and strengthen existing and new collaborative relationships between a number of “south” research groups and Canada.
Structure of the meeting
The first day of the meeting was set aside to provide information to eye care providers within Tanzania and the region regarding gender
and blindness. The next four days were set aside for the smaller group of researchers, policy makers, and programme professionals (by
invitation only) to fulfil the objectives of the meeting.
Participants
There were approximately 30 participants on the 17 June session for eye care workers. There were 15 participants at the 4-day meeting.
The participants included epidemiologists, ophthalmologists, medical anthropologists, health educators, policy planners, and programme
directors. Dr. Mercedes Juarez represented the World Health Organisation and Mr. Brian Prozkurniak from the Canadian High
Commission represented the Canadian government (donors).
Results
The presentations by participants formed the background for discussion of relevant policy, research, and programme issues and priorities
related to gender and blindness. The presentations were compiled and are being put on CD for all participants. A copy will be sent to the
World Health Organisation and other prevention of blindness agencies.
Recommendations for research, policy and programmes dedicated to reduce the inequity in blindness, eye disease, and use of eye care
services by men and women were prepared. Attached is a copy of the draft summary and recommendations. These will be sent to all
participants for final review and revision. They will then be sent to the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the
Prevention of Blindness for dissemination.
Dr. Robert Geneau is preparing a full report of the findings from the meeting. This will be completed by the end of September 2002. It will
be sent to the donors, made available to all interested individuals, and, if there is interest and funding, published as a report.
Additional benefits
The Canadian government (through the supporting agencies) has expressed interest in supporting further research and programmes
related to improving gender equity in utilisation of eye care services. The BCEIO and KCCO will be submitting a grant to the Canadian
government to institute gender-sensitive interventions in Tanzania and elsewhere.
There is strong interest by colleagues in other countries to link research interests related to gender and blindness. In particular,
colleagues in Nepal, India and Egypt are keen to test different approaches to improving utilisation by women. The KCCO is exploring
collaborative relationships with institutions in these countries as well as continuing its collaboration with the BCEIO in Canada.
The World Health Organisation has already given the KCCO a small grant to support research in Tanzania related to gender equity in
utilisation of cataract surgical services. With the expansion of health sector reform in Tanzania WHO has expressed its interest in using
eye care as a model for demonstrating how health sector reform can be implemented while ensuring that the most vulnerable in society
receive services. WHO will be initiating contact with specific organisations in Dar to explore their interest in implementation of our models.
Dr. Juarez will return to Moshi in early October to assist the KCCO review progress.
Paul Courtright, DrPH & Susan Lewallen, MD
Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology
| KCCO/Tumaini University | PO Box 2254 | Moshi, Tanzania | Tel: 255 27 2753547 | Fax: 255 27 2753598 | kcco@kcco.net |