The purpose of UCT-CEHI is to assist in addressing the need for capacity development in government departments, non-governmental organizations and private institutions in order to support eye care programmes in low and middle income countries. Our main aim is to support the development of community eye health programmes by:
- supplying certified, comprehensive and continuous education
- training, mentoring and coaching of eye care managers
- production of training and reference materials
- participation in the establishment of permanent eye centres
- conducting and initiating community based eye care research
- development of quality assurance systems and protocols
- monitoring and evaluation of exiting eye care programmes
- establishing and training of district eye care programme committees
Our activities have resulted in alumni, collaborations, partnerships and impact on the well being of millions of people across most of the Southern-, Eastern-, Central- and parts of Western African regions, as well as in Asia (China, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan) and the Eastern Mediterranean region. Our footprint maps (MapAfrica) up to date as at 30 June 2023.
Through educational and training programmes, research and programme development advisory services, UCT-CEHI has provided much needed programme management training and development support to eye care programmes in low-and middle- income countries. Our portfolio includes postgraduate education in community eye health, leadership and management training for strengthened public health, development support and consultancies for planning, monitoring and evaluation of eye care services, as well as research (including RAAB surveys) and baseline mapping in the disability field.
To date, we have…
- trained over 600 eye care practitioners in public eye health and management of eye care programmes,
- conducted more than 200 workshops, lectures and presentations, involving 1000s of participants,
- published almost 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 3 volumes (6 issues) of the CEH-iNews newsletter
- supported several district, provincial and national eye care programmes in planning and strategizing eye care initiatives, conducting situational analyses, and providing monitoring and evaluation consultancies to help develop and improve eye care service delivery;
- led the training and facilitation of 15 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness surveys
- trained over 200 medical officers / ophthalmic surgeons and trainers of trainers to perform cataract and glaucoma surgery in our Surgical Training Unit, using a state-of-the-art Simulated Ophthalmic Surgery methodology.