Impact of the WHO AFRO Primary Eye Care Training Manual in- country Dr. BOATENG WIAFE Technical Advisor - Operation Eyesight Universal Chair- PEC working group, IAPB Africa

PRIMARY EYE CARE TRAINING MANUAL

Purpose The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance in the design, implementation and evaluation of a course that aims to build and strengthen the capacity of health personnel to manage eye patients at primary-level health facilities in the African Region.

Aim The aim of the course is to strengthen the ability of primary-level health workers to successfully manage patients with eye complaints presenting at primary health care facilities.

Health system improvements in health facilities Substantive improvements in the availability of essential eye medication Availability of appropriate supplies and equipment Clear,referral pathway defined and supported by health facility management Information system improved to capture data

Health system improvements in health facilities -HR Improved skills of health personnel at the facility level Improved patient /caregiver knowledge

Leading to Appropriate and timely treatment/ management Improved patient/caregiver knowledge Improved patient/caregiver satisfaction with the services Improved utilization of health services

Improvement in the efficiency and quality of eye health services Efficiency of the health workers are improved Quality of care improved Morale of the health workers boosted because the quality of care improves at the facility

Summary Improvement in the case management skills of the health worker in eye health Improvement in the health system support required to provide quality eye health services Improvement in eye health seeking behaviour of communities

Impact Avoidable blindness is eliminated from communities Communities enjoy quality vision for as long as possible