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Al Basar International Foundation held workshop on Second Decade of VISION 2020
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On 27 November 2011 in Khartoum Sudan, Al Basar International Foundation organized a workshop to
review the global perspective in Vision 2020 for the next decade, and major achievements and
challenges of Vision 2020 especially as it relates to Sudan. The workshop consisted of three
sessions: inauguration, scientific session and Group Discussions. Speakers included Dr R
Pararajasegaram, Prof Daud Khan, Prof Saleh Memon, Prof Kadir Kazi, Prof Adel ARushood, Dr
Babar Qureshi, Dr Haroon Awan, Dr Mansur Rabiu and Mr Hassan Minto etc.
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Makkah Ophthalmic College graduates second batch
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The Makkah Ophthalmic Technical College, established in 2007, had graduated the 2nd batch of
43 Ophthalmic Assistants. The 3-year diploma programs cover 2 main fields Diploma of Ophthalmic
Assistant (DOA) and Diploma of Ophthalmic Technologist (DOT). The diploma award ceremony was held on
Saturday, 26 November 2011 at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum.
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EMR Primary Eye Care Taskforce Workshop held
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The Primary eye care taskforce setup by WHO-EMRO and IAPB-EMR had a 2-day workshop in Dubai to develop
training manual and indicators for reporting and monitoring of eye health at primary health care. The
meeting was held between 22 - 23 November 2011. Draft manual and indicators are at the final stage of
development.
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EMR Human Resource Working Group sets up priorities
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The Human resource working group of the EMR had worked out modalities to strengthen human resources
development for eye health in the region. These was at a meeting of the group which held on 22
November 2011 in Dubai. Among the majors strategies was to undertake a region wide situational
analysis of all HR and training institutions involved in eye health. Twining programs will be
developed between institutions in the region, as well as Human resource interest groups at national
levels.
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EMR Regional Meeting to review progress of implementation of WHA resolutions and regional recommendations
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The IAPB-EMR organized a regional meeting to assess the successes, challenges and learning’s in
the implementation of World Health Assembly resolutions (specifically the ‘Action plan 2009-2013
for Prevention of Avoidable Blindness and Visual Impairment) and the regional recommendations on
the control of Glaucoma, Diabetic retinopathy, School eye health and primary eye care at national
level.
The meeting, which was sponsored by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and International Agency for
the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), was held from 20 - 21 November 2011 in Dubai, UAE.
All national coordinators for the prevention of blindness in the EMR, NGDOs and experts in public
health ophthalmology attended the meeting.
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IAPB-EMR Regional Workshop on progress of VISION 2020 in the region
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The IAPB-EMR held a regional meeting to assess the successes and challenges in the implementation
of WHO Action plan 2009-2013 and regional recommendations on Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, School
Eye Health and Primary eye care, at the national level.
The meeting was held from 20 - 21 November 2011 in Dubai, UAE. It was attended by most national coordinators
for prevention of blindness in the region, EMR Co-Chairs, experts in public health ophthalmology and
programme management. The meeting came up with achievable action points for the NCs, NGOs and IAPB
to accelerate the implementation of VISION 2020 programs in the region. The meeting was organized by
PBU and supported by the Islamic Development Bank and the IAPB.
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IDB–PBU Consultative Meeting
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The Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the PBU and a number of NGOs and development agencies involved in
eye care and prevention of blindness in the Middle East and Africa held a consultative e meeting in
Dubai on 9 November 2011. The meeting provided a forum for discussions and harmonization of
priorities in the implementation of eye care and prevention of blindness activities in the Eastern
Mediterranean and Africa regions.
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Jordan Minister of Health commends PBU
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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Minister of Health Dr Abdullatif Wreiket had commended the efforts of
PBU in working to reduce avoidable blindness in the Middle East and Africa regions. The Minister
made this remarks during the final signing ceremony for the Diabetic retinopathy program in Irbid,
Jordan. The program is a ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme of Standard Chartered Bank which will be
implemented by PBU in collaboration with Jordan Ministry of Health. It will last for 4 years and will
provide health promotion, education, screening, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with
diabetic retinopathy. It also involves human resource development and equipment supply.
The signing ceremony was held on the 6 of October 2011 at Four seasons hotel, Amman. The PBU was
represented by its Managing Director Dr Abdulaziz AlRajhi while Standard chartered bank was by Mr
Ahmed Abu Eidad the CEO of the SCB Amman.
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Chair IAPB–EMR addressed EMR Health Ministers
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The Chairman of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness - Eastern Mediterranean Region
(IAPB-EMR), Prince Abdulaziz Ahmad Al Saud, addressed the EMR Ministers of Health during the just
concluded 58th Regional Meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) EMRO which held in
Cairo from 2 - 5 October 2011.
The Chairman thanked the ministers for their continuous support to eye health and prevention of
blindness. He further solicited for their cooperation in supporting reports on eye health in the
forthcoming Executive Board meeting of the World Health Organization and the 65th World
Health Assembly to be held in January and May 2012 respectively, during which progress report
on the WHO Action plan for the prevention of Avoidable blindness 2009-2013 will be discussed.
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Programme Manager for Jordan Project appointed
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Mr Sohail Ayaz Khan has been appointed as the Project manager for the Diabetic retinopathy program
in Jordan. He was the deputy CEO programs for CHEF International- one of our partner NGOs - and he is
seconded by this organization to the Prevention of Blindness Union. CHEF international is an
international NGO involved with eye care, education and disabilities in many countries.
Mr. Khan has wide international experience in strategic planning programming and management
especially in the field of eye care and prevention of blindness. He has Masters in Business
Administration with major in Human Resources, and Masters in Information Technology.
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Egypt Institute for Community Ophthalmology
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Al Noor foundation Egypt, in collaboration with CBM, is establishing the Egypt Institute for
Community ophthalmology in Cairo. The Institute will provide short and long academic courses in
Community Ophthalmology, Management for eye care and Training for Ophthalmic Technicians. A new
facility has been prepared within Alnoor complex in Cairo to harbor the Institute. Studying is
expected to start in 2011 with candidates from Egypt and Middle East Region. For more details,
please contact Dr Gamal Ezz El Arab at arab@alnoor.org.eg.
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Institute for Rehabilitation Sciences established in Pakistan
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The CHEF International had established the Pakistani Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences in
Islamabad, Pakistan. The institute which will commence operation in the last quarter of 2011 will
provide short courses and degree programs in all fields of disabilities including vision. For more
information, please send an email to info@chef.org.pk.
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Vitreo-retinal services started at AlBasar Hospital in Nigeria
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AlBasar International Foundation had started vitreo-retinal services at its Makkah Eye Hospital in
Kano, Northern Nigeria. Hitherfore this area lacks full vitreo-retinal services. The services
introduced includes pars-plana vitrectomy, lensectomy and phaco surgeries with or without silicon
or gases. The services are been provided by highly qualified surgeons. Other supportive procedures
available include argon laser photocoagulation, fluorescein angiography and fundus photography.
The services at the center as other ophthalmic services are highly subsidized to make them affordable.
For more information send email to azmatshah68@yahoo.com.
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IAPB-EMR participates in the PEC Working Group
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IAPB-EMR was invited to participate in the meeting of the Primary Eye Care working Group of the
IAPB in order to learn and share experiences. The meeting was held in Dubai from 15 - 16 September
2011 immediately after the IAPB council meeting. The meeting resolved to improve communication,
linkages, coordination and information between IAPB regional groups and other PEC and primary health
care (PHC) groups.
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