The Jules Stein Eye Institute offers fellowship training to enable particularly well-qualified persons to receive and contribute to training in specific areas of ophthalmology. Clinical fellowship training combines outpatient, inpatient and surgical experience in an ophthalmic subspecialty. The fellow assumes increasing responsibility for patient care, under the supervision of faculty members responsible for the program. In addition to receiving instruction from faculty, the fellow instructs medical students and residents. Research is considered an important aspect of specialty training and a major prerequisite for assimilating future developments in ophthalmology. Fellows are expected to undertake independent investigation or to participate in one of the ongoing research projects in a basic or clinical field related to their specialty. Time is allotted appropriately for this experience, and its value is enhanced by careful supervision, availability of laboratory facilities, and access to technical assistance.

Source: http://www.jsei.org/Education/educ_training_opfeltrprg.htm 

A grand opportunity to advocate and engage with a wider audience 

COECSA marked its 1st Fellow's Graduation Ceremony at the 3RD Annual COECSA Congress on 27th August 2015.

A fellow is the highest and most prestigious level of membership at the college bestowing the hallmark of professional excellence.

More photos on our Coecsa facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=920376198036267&id=739112372829318

Dr Ibrahim Matende urges governors to recruit more eye 

specialists to curb the shortage

Delegates and medical scholars from 22 African countries have converged for a conference at the Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort in Mombasa County.

They are meeting under the Association of Medical Councils of Africa to develop protocols on reciprocal licensing for practitioners across the globe.

The chief executive officer of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board, Mr Daniel Yumbya, said the protocols will deter deregistered medical practitioners from practicing in another country thereby risking the lives of patients.

“Some of the expected outcomes include protocols.

"For example, when a doctor is licensed to work in Kenya and wants to go and practice in Botswana, is Botswana going to accredit that Kenyan doctor to practice without any complications and problems?” Mr Yumbya wondered.

FOREIGN DOCTORS

He said the doctors will also deliberate on licensing of foreign doctors due to an upsurge currently being experienced in Africa.

Speaking with journalists at the conference, Mr Yumbya said some of the foreign doctors are qualified though others have questionable qualifications and are putting the lives of patients at risk.

“We want to curb cases of doctors who have been deregistered in their mother countries due to indiscipline cases from crossing over to other countries and practice,” he said.

“We want to ensure only the best practitioners are allowed to work in our country. Medical tourism is also important. We want to know which country in Africa is giving universal health coverage,” he added.

The Kenyan doctors said although there are challenges facing the devolution of health, solutions must be found.

“At the end of the day, wananchi need services. Doctors are human beings; they have families to fend (for),” said Dr Ouma Oluga, the secretary-general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union.

Mr Yumbya insisted that the key thing in devolution is financing.

“We cannot sit back and watch as patients continue to suffer. If cash is given to the counties, if healthcare workers are motivated, paid adequately and promptly, then there would be no issues. We appeal to healthcare workers to be patient,” he said.

He said Kenya is privileged to hold the conference during the tenure of Prof George Magoha, the president of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa.

“Kenya is looking forward to (winning) the Friday elections. Prof Magoha will be back to lead the association,” he added.

Mr Yumbya said the conference gives the practitioners an opportunity to share experiences on the best and worst practices.

At the same time, it emerged that Kenya has a shortage of 900 ophthalmologists (eye specialists), with more than five counties lacking the practitioners.

Dr Ibrahim Matende, the president of the College of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa said Africa has limited eye specialists and resources.

He said the international standard is about one eye specialist to a population of 200,000 people. However, Kenya has about 120 practitioners.

He said a majority of the eye specialists work in the cities, with Nairobi leading with about 25, Mombasa eight, Kisumu three while Kwale has one.

He said Turkana and Lamu counties have no eye specialists.

MORE EYE SPECIALISTS

Dr Matende urged governors to recruit more eye specialists to curb the shortage, saying most eye ailments in Kenya are treatable.

“We need to be sure that we maintain standards that are above board", he said.

He said doctors in Kenya leave for greener pastures in other countries like Botswana due to a poor working environment, limited training opportunities and poor remuneration.

He added that devolution of health services was rushed and doctors’ welfare was not addressed.

“We are running short of human resources in Africa while our specialists are soaring high overseas. African countries should train more eye specialists,” he added.

Meru Governor Peter Munya, the chairman of the Council of Governors, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia and Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri are among the expected guests at the conference.

Source:http://mobile.nation.co.ke/counties/Doctors-continental-meeting-Mombasa/-/1950480/2853996/-/format/xhtml/item/0/-/132lbv8z/-/index.html

Dear Young Ophthalmologist, On behalf of YOF-Kenya team, it is my great pleasure to invite you to an exciting forum, where we will get to interact, discuss issues that affect us as young ophthalmologists in Kenya and chart the way forward for COECSA Young Ophthalmologist Forum-Kenya Chapter. The forum will be held on Saturday, 4Th of July 2015 at Bonds Restaurant in Upper Hill, Nairobi from 2pm onwards. The primary objective of this activity is to promote “a vibrant network of upcoming eye care professionals able to advance policy change at national and regional levels”.  We will get to discuss issues of how young ophthalmologists can take up leadership and advance policy change both locally and in the region.   Kindly confirm your participation with Dr. Kareko (ckareks@yahoo.com) or Grace (grace@coecsa.org) by 20Th June for planning purposes. Your active participation will be appreciated. COECSA, with the generous support of its partners and Harleys Limited shall sponsor the event. A meal and drinks will be served.   I look forward to seeing you all at this professionally rewarding forum.   Sincerely,   Dr. Catherine Kareko For and on behalf of YOF- Kenya Chapter

Ref: Resident reasearch award for best Abstract selcted at the 3rd annual COECSA congress 2015

COECSA hereby wishes to notify all final year residents of research awards for the best abstract submitted for the presentation at the upcoming 3^rd Annual COECSA Annual Scientific Congress in August 27-28, 2015 at Naivasha, Kenya.

This research award has been made possible by our partner Orbis Africa under the Human Resources for Eye Health strengthening Initiative for Sub Saharan Africa. Residents who finished their training in 2014 and did not submit their abstracts for the 2014 COECSA congress are eligible to participate in this year’s awards call.

Selection Criteria:

The COECSA Research Committee will evaluate and determine the winning abstract submitted, the awarded shall be notified in good time of their selection and honored at the congress’ gala dinner on the 27^th of August 2015.

Category & award:

a)     U$D 1,500 - Best Abstract for Oral Presentation courtesy of Orbis Africa. (This award will be presented in form of support for one resident to attend and present their paper during the August 2015 Congress)

                                                              

                                                

All abstracts must be submitted within the stipulated timeline of June 30^th to the congress Organizing Committee at abstracts2015@coecsa.org

Regards,

COECSA Secretariat

11/06/2015

Leadership Training for Ophthalmologists in Sub Saharan Africa.

The African Ophthalmology Council (AOC) in collaboration with the ICO, AAO and COECSA will be starting its first leadership training for Ophthalmologists in Sub Saharan Africa.

The first session will take place 2 days towwards the College of Ophthalmology of Eastern ,Central and South Africa 3RD Annual Scientific Congress in Naivasha, Kenya, Scheduled for 27th  -28th  August, 2015.

COECSA strongly requests the Young Ophthalmologists' participation at this leadership development program (LDP). You are requested to nominate one participant to represent Young Ophthalmologists at the first leadership development program event.

For correspondence, the Email address to use is info@coecsa.org

You shall be receiving further communication from Dr. Kunle directly concerning the nomination process and any other information towards the LDP event.

Leadership Development Program

                                 

                                     LDP Class of 2017

Anglophone Section

OVERVIEW BROCHURE

Philosophy

Principles

Practice

Leadership Development Program

Introduction

The African Ophthalmology Council!!(AOC) is the regional Eye Society representing Sub Saharan Africa countries. The AOC invites National and Regional Eye Societies in Sub Saharan Africa to Sponsor Ophthalmologists to its new Leadership Development Program.

For questions about the Program please see below information or email Dr. Kunle Hassan (President, AOC) at KunleHassan@EyeFoundationHospital.com.

OVERVIEW

MISSION*STATEMENT

The purpose of the Leadership Development Program is to provide both personal & Organizational orientation & skill development to future leaders of Regional & National Eye Societies in Sub Sahara.

PROGRAM GOALS

a. Identify individuals with the potential to become leaders in Ophthalmology.

b. Provide orientation and skills to allow potential leaders to promote Ophthalmology locally, nationally & across the African continent.

c. Facilitate the promotion of program graduates into leadership positions locally, nationally and across Sub Saharan Africa.

GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPATION

A. Only National and Regional societies may submit a program participant nomination to the AOC Leadership Development Program Selection Committee.

b. A National society may nominate one Ophthalmologist to participate At the discretion of

AOC Leadership Development Program Selection Committee, a hosting Regional and a

Hosting National society may be allowed to have additional observing participants

c. Nominee must be a current member of the nominating society and must be a current member in good standing of the participating Regional society.

d. Nominee must have a minimum of 5 years membership in the nominating National society.

e. Nominee must agree to participate in all elements of the Leadership Development Program as noted in the program outline (i.e. attend all designated meetings).

f. Nominee must agree to develop a project over the course of his/her participation in the program that will benefit the nominating society. Participant will identify and outline the project by January 2016 and will submit an abstract describing the project goals, objectives and status by July 2016.

g. Cost of participation will be shared by the African Ophthalmology Council, the Nominating

National and Regional societies and the individual participate (see “Cost sharing” chart)

h. Estimated annual Leadership Development Program class size: 17L20 participants.

COST SHARING

AOC	National Host Societies	Regional Society COECSA	Participant
Agenda materials, Resource books and meeting preparation.	Social events –i.e. receptions, selected dinners for COESCA 2015	Registration fee for 2015 COECSA Scientific conference.	Airfare and lodging For COECSA 2015 in Naivasha, Kenya.
Speakers, consultants, moderators	Social events–i.e. Receptions, selected Dinners for COESCA 2016	Registration fee for 2016 COECSA Scientific conference.	Airfare and lodging For COECSA 2016 in Tanzania
Registration fee For 2017 AOC Congress	Social events –i.e. receptions, selected dinners for AOC Congress 2017		Airfare and lodging For 2017 AOC Congress

Fellowship in Medical Education at McGill University,Canada               

Length of Fellowship: 12 months.

In many countries the training of medical students in ophthalmology does not reflect what is necessary for the general practitioner, internist, or non-ophthalmologist specialist to practice. For example, although skills of fundoscopy are usually taught in medical school, the number of graduating physicians who are not able to detect serious eye disease via fundus examination is remarkably high.

The first goal of this fellowship is to train individuals to make significant changes in the quality of ophthalmic education in their home country at one or more medical schools. A second goal of the fellowship is to help design practitioner-based screening programs.  Screening for diabetic retinopathy and some other ophthalmic diseases is cost-effective.

However, screening for other disorders such as glaucoma are not always as cost-effective. This does not reflect what is occurring in countries where either the rates of disease are particularly high, or the availability of practitioners is very low. This fellowship will help ophthalmologists to design screening programs that are specific to their country's population, and will result in improved quality of care.

Interested candidates should send in their letter of motivation, resume & copies of their academic certificates to info@COECSA.org.

The application should be addressed to:

The Chair, Training Subcommittee,COECSA

* Preference shall be given to active fellows of COECSA in good standing

Deadline for application - June 2015.

University of Rwanda, College of Medicine & Health Sciences

Advertisement for  Job opportunity

University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (UR-CMHS) wishes to recruit qualified personnel in the Department of Ophthalmology, school of Health Sciences located at Nyarugenge Campus.
1. Lecturer (1)
Applicnant must possess the following requirements:

• Master's of medicine in Ophthalmology or its equivalent (PHD is an added advantage)]
• 2 years experience is an added advantage
• Registered with local professional council
• Excellent communication skills in English

 

Read more at http://www.umuseke.rw/job-opportunity-at-the-university-of-rwandacollege-of-medicine-ur-cmhs.html 

2.Tutorial assistant/Clinical Instructor (2)

Applicant must possess the following requirments:

• Bachelor Degree in Ophthalmic Clinical officer/Ophthalmic technician/Optometry with at least a distinction
• Advanced diploma in Ophthalmic Clinical officer with additional training in dispensing optician
• 2years experience is an added advantage
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Registered with local professional counclil

Read more at: http://www.umuseke.rw/job-opportunity-at-the-university-of-rwandacollege-of-medicine-ur-cmhs.html

All applications should be accompanied by:
1. Application letter written in  English to the principal of the college of Medicine and Health sciences, University of Rwanda
2.Curriculum Vitae
3.A copy of certified academic certificate
4.A copy of certified academic transcript
5.Contacts and address of two referees 

The Tenwek Hospital Eye Unit 4th Annual CPD took place on May 15th 2015.

The event was attended by 45 delegates drawn from:

• Sabatia Eye Hospital
• Agha Khan University Hospital
• University of Nairobi, Department of Ophthalmology
• Eagle Eye Laser Center
• Tenwek Hospital
• Kissii Eye Care Institute
• Getrude’s Children’s Hospital
• Nyeri Provincial General Hospital
• Wills Eye Hospital (USA)

                 

Presentations from 9.00am to 4.45pm included:

-          Approach to the Management of Pediatric Cataract by Drs. Sarah Sitati & Ernest Ollando               from Sabatia Eye Hospital

-          Clinical & surgical approach to Squint by Dr. Daniel Mundia

-          The Kenya National Retinoblastoma Strategy 2014 Best Guidelines by Dr. Kahaki Kimani

-          Update on Diabetic Retinopathy by Dr. Ben Roberts

-          Overview on Common Orbital Tumors & the Approach to Their Management by Dr.                   Nyenze Muindi

-          Clinical Characteristics & Functional Outcomes of Keratoconus Patients attending a                   specialist contact lens clinic in Kenya by Dr. Zahara Rashid

-          Cross linking in Keratoconus: sharing Our Kenyan Experience by Dr. Muchai Gachago

-          Approach to the management of Bullous Keratopathy by Dr. Michael Chen

-          Biometry: A necessity or a luxury? By Dr. Judy Ndiritu

-          Perioperative Antibiotics in Cataract Surgery by Dr. Nina Ni

-          Approach to Glaucoma management in a Limited Resource Set-up by Dr. Dan kiage

All participants received certificates and flash disks containing all the presentations in PDF format. 

Photos of the event posted on COECSA's facebook page @ Coecsa

WIN A TRAVEL BURSARY TO ESCRS in Barcelona. 

CALL FOR ENTRIES TO JOHN HENAHAN PRIZE

Howdy! 

Its Simple, Just write a 900-word essay on the topic “How do I learn surgery?”

http://escrs.org/barcelona2015/henahan-prize.asp

CALL FOR ENTRIES TO JOHN HENAHAN WRITING PRIZE FOR YOUNG OPHTHALMOLOGISTS

Entrants to the John Henahan Prize are invited to write a 900-word essay on the topic, “How do I learn surgery?” The competition is open to ESCRS members who are aged 40 or under before January 1, 2015.

The essays will be judged by Thomas Kohnen, chairman ESCRS Publications Committee; Emanuel Rosen, chief medical editor EuroTimes; Jose Guell, former president ESCRS; Oliver Findl, chairman ESCRS Young Ophthalmologists Committee; Sean Henahan, editor EuroTimes; Paul McGinn, editor EuroTimes; and Robert Henahan, contributing editor EuroTimes.

The two main criteria for consideration by the judges are the clinical content of the story and the writing style, including punctuation and grammar, which should reflect the high standard of material published in EuroTimes.

The winner will receive a travel bursary worth €1,000 to attend the XXXIII Congress of the ESCRS in Barcelona, Spain and a special trophy which will be presented at the Video awards Session on Sunday 6 September.

The prize is named in honour of John Henahan, who edited EuroTimes from 1996 to 2001. “John’s work has inspired a generation of young doctors and journalists, many of whom continue to work for EuroTimes. The prize will not only bring satisfaction to the winner and credit to all the contributors but may enhance all their prospects of pursuing a medical writing aspect to their future careers. We look to their further contributions to EuroTimes and the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery,” said Dr Rosen.

Entry forms are available from Colin Kerr, executive editor, EuroTimes at: henprize@eurotimes.org

Closing date for entries is Friday 29 May 2015. 

Good luck!

Public participation in the review of the kenya Draft Health Bill

Article 118 (1) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya provides that Parliament shall facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of parliament and its committees. Standing order 127 (3) states that the departmental committee to which a Bill is committed shall facilitate public participation and shall take into account views and recommendations of the public when the committee makes its report to the house.

Pursuant to Article 188 (1) (b) and the standing order 127 (3), the committee invites interested members of the public to submit any representations they may have on the Bill. The representations may be forwarded to the Clerk of the National assembly P.O Box 41842-00100, Nairobi; hand delivered to the office of the clerk, main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi; or emailed to clerk@parliament.go.ke to be received on or before Wednesday 13^th May 2015 at 5.00Pm.

As COECSA members who are significantly involved in development of eye health and health in general, Our voice/ participation is of great importance to the bill. Let us engage and share our views/contributions towards the draft Health Bill. 

Follow us on instagram @youngophthalmologits

TIPS FOR WRITING A RESEARCH PAPER

http://www.research4life.org/tips-for-writing-a-research-paper/

COECSA announces Support for Short-Term Subspecialty Training.

COECSA, with the generous support of partners in Health Systems Strengthening Project, is pleased to announce the availability of short term subspecialty training support for interested COECSA Fellows within ECSA region. To be considered for this support, one MUST meet the following criteria: 

• Must be a Fellow of COECSA in good standing
• Has secured (or is in the process of securing) admission for a short term subspecialty trainig
•  The training MUST be needs-based and must be completed within the project period (not extending beyond December 2015) 

*To apply, please send a (1) one page motivation letter detailing the training need & potential impact of the training to eye care in the region and an indicative budget for your training to  info@coecsa.org. If you have already secured admission, please attach the letter of admission from the training institution alongside your application. If not, please include details of the institution where you have applied to and the tentative training dates in the motivation letter.

The deadline for submitting applications is 10th May, 2015. Successful applicants will be notified shortly thereafter.

This is your chance Young Ophthalmologists! 

Announcing the COECSA Fellowship Exam 2015

This year's COECSA fellowship Exam will be held at Addis Ababa University's Menelik II Hospital in Ethiopia.


Dates: 28th September - Examiners' training
            : 29th - 30th September - Exam (OSCE and Structured VIVA)

Host/Venue:  Addis Ababa University’s Menelik II Hospital, ETHIOPIA


Are you ready? visit http://www.coecsa.org/index.php/newsz/334-coecsa-fellows for Instructions on how to register.

Q. Why ophthalmology?      A. It’s my calling



Name: Dr Simon Arunga, a young Ophthalmologist & Clinical Lecturer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Affiliation: Member of the College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa & COECSA’s Young Ophthalmologists Forum

Q. Speak to Africa as a young Ophthalmologist on the importance of Eye health In Africa

A. Eye Health is a key part of our well-being.  We all need to “see well” in order to lead productive lives.  Blindness is not just an individual problem but a community problem.  I am always touched by the common upcountry sight of a blind person being led on a stick by a small child.  This means if there happens to be a blind person in a family, one of the children will be “sacrificed” to miss school and stay at home and care for this older blind person thereby literally threatening the future of this child.

Q. What is your vision on COECSA and Africa at large?

A. I strongly feel that as Africa, this is the right time to do something to alleviate the burden of blindness and suffering in our communities.

We all have a role to play and not just to leave it to a few.  As young ophthalmologists, leaders, individuals, partners, we now more than ever need to realize we have the enthusiasm, motivation, skills and resources to provide African solutions to African problems.  We all need to work together, collaborate, be innovative, network, and embrace low cost technology to come up with sustainable solutions for our continent.