GoAP and Sightsavers State Level Training for 350 PMOOs Launched

20th July, 2009

"Modern trends in Delivery of Eyecare" was the topic chosen by GoAP and Sightsavers International to orient 350 Paramedic Ophthalmic Officers (PMOO) spread across 23 districts of the state at Sankar Foundation, Vishakhapatnam.

It was the first time that training for paramedic ophthalmic officers was organized comprehensively on the newly launched programmes like Aarogyashree, 104 Mobile Van (also called as HMRI's Fixed Day Health Scheme) and teleophthalmology. Since, the PMOO (new terminology for Paramedic Ophthalmic Assistants) has been recognized as the referral link in all these innovative programmes launched by government, it was imperative to host this training.



While Dr Mothilal, Joint Director- AP NPCB volunteered to take session on "How to make cataract free zone", resource persons were called in from district or regional level officials from Aarogyashree scheme, HMRI and Regional Eye Hosptial (for teleophthalmology) respectively. The training also included practical demonstration of 104 mobile fan, interaction with Aarogyamitra (person appointed at base hospital by Govt.) and their role.

To cover the entire state, districts have been divided into three phases:

Phase 1: Districts (10)
July 20th – 21st : Srikakulam, Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagaram
July 23rd -24th : East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna
July 27th – 28th : Guntur, Prakasam, Nellore, Chittor

Phase 2: Districts (6)
August 17th – 18th : Cuddapah, Ananthpur, Kurnool
August 20th – 21st : Mehboobnagar, Nalgonda, Khammam

Phase 3: Districts (6)
September 7th – 8th : Ranga Reddy, Medak, Nizamabad
September 10th- 11th: Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal

* Hyderabad was not included.

This is the third time, when Sightsavers has organized a joint state level training (technically as well as financially) in Andhra Pradesh after conducting DPM training for two consecutive years.
After approval from Dr L V Subhramanyam (Prinicipal Health Secretary) we foresee more such training programmes for ophthalmic personnels across all cadres in partnership with the government.





*Click on the photo for large view.


With all this effort, a message has been clearly sent to the key decision makers of the state that inclusion of eyecare is a step towards achieveing primary healthcare for the bottom of the pyramid.

Let's not get blurred by the launch of technology ignoring the immensely able human resource as ultimately it will be a human who will be treated by a human.

By
Shweta Chooramani
schooramani@sightsavers.org


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