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| Findings and Recommendations on Community Optometry Workshop in Tanzania early 2005 1. A situation analysis of public sector optometry in Tanzania (region by region, district by district) would help to identify regions (and districts) to be prioritized for placement of optometrists. In addition, mapping of private sector and NGO/mission optometrists would be advisable. 2. Capacity building (infrastructure, systems, extension of skills, etc.) is needed at optometry units at most regional hospitals. Additional training opportunities need to be identified for public sector optometrists to improve their ability to carry out activities related to community optometry and to strengthen community optometry at the national level. strengthen community optometry at the national level. strengthen community optometry at the national level. 3. Routine sourcing of low cost ready-made spectacles, frames and lenses, and low vision devices needs to be developed nationally. 4. Optometrists should be part of national and regional VISION 2020 planning activities. 5. Information transfer (regarding VISION 2020, national NPBC, and regional activities) to optometrists throughout Tanzania must be improved. Mechanisms to exchange practical learning experiences in community optometry need to be promoted. Additionally, information from optometric meetings needs to be distributed to the NPBC. A community optometry resource centre should be developed within ORCEA. 6. The team approach to the provision of comprehensive eye care service delivery in rural Tanzania requires clear descriptions of roles and activities to be carried out by all members of the team, working together. 7. Public sector community optometry programmes will generate income that will support the regional VISION 2020 programme. An eye care account should be established to enable the programme to monitor its successes. 8. Regional public sector approaches to providing a range of eye care services necessitates a strong management infrastructure 9. Research is needed on a variety of topics related to refractive services and refractive errors in Tanzania. 10. A manual of operations and set of standard guidelines and best practices for implementing community optometry should be developed and disseminated. 11. Advocacy regarding the importance of community optometry as part of VISION 2020 should be promoted by the NPBC, TOA, optometrists, training institutions, and other stakeholders. 12. Engaging private practice optometrists in community optometry should be encouraged. |
Presentantions |