Implementation of an academic collaboration in oculoplastics in Mozambique: preliminary situational analysis and training proposal.
Author: Alejandra Herranz
Base Hospital / Institution: ONG Ocularis; Consorci Sanitari integral Moisés Broggi
ePoster presentation
Abstract ID: 24-199
Purpose
89% cases of global blindness are preventable. In sub-Saharan Africa the number of ophthalmologists per million inhabitants is 2.3, the lowest in the world. The NGO Ocularis collaborates in the training of ophthalmologists on the African continent. It has successfully implemented a postgraduate course in Ophthalmopediatrics in Senegal and is also working towards the development of a similar Oculoplastics teaching activity in Mozambique.
Methods
Situational analysis of professional and infrastructure resources as well as a retrospective review of the patient census in the Ophthalmology service of two tertiary centers in Mozambique: Maputo Central Hospital (HCM) and Beira Hospital (HB). Direct observation in the operating room and in consultation complemented the analysis. The results obtained were compared with the standards of the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) for the development of a teaching program.
Results
Together, the ophthalmology services of the HCM and the HB are composed of 10 ophthalmologists, 9 residents, 1 ocularist, 15 nurses and 4 scrub nurses. It has 12 examination rooms, 4 triage offices and 3 operating rooms. In 2023, 38,693 visits and 2,406 interventions were carried out in both centers, of which 357 were oculoplastic (231 tumors of the eyeball and adnexa, 114 ocular perforations and 12 trichiasis treatments). A 2-year teaching program was developed based on the ICO guides. At a theoretical level, 7 generic ophthalmology modules, 12 specific oculoplastics modules and a research work were included. At a practical level, case seminars and hospital practices were established, tutored by local ophthalmologists; along with 4 annual 2-week periods of surgical activity supervised by Ocularis oculoplastic specialists.
Conclusion
Given the volume of patients and the resources observed, it is feasible to develop a subspecialization program in one of the areas with the greatest need of professionals globally.
Additional Authors
| First name | Last name | Base Hospital / Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Mariamo | Abdala | ONG Ocularis; Consorci Sanitari integral Moisés Broggi |
| Abel | dos Santos Polazee | ONG Ocularis; Consorci Sanitari integral Moisés Broggi |
| Antonio | Alomar Sitjar | ONG Ocularis; Consorci Sanitari integral Moisés Broggi |
| Jon | Federio Arostegui | ONG Ocularis; Consorci Sanitari integral Moisés Broggi |
| Hugo | González Valdivia | ONG Ocularis; Consorci Sanitari integral Moisés Broggi |
| Joan | Prat Bartomeu | ONG Ocularis; Consorci Sanitari integral Moisés Broggi |
