Transcript The Nigerian Initiative - ICO-Council Meeting Presentation

THE NIGERIAN INITIATIVE
A Presentation to the Council of ICO
on the occasion of the
G.O.H. Naumann Award
for Leadership in Global Eye Care
June 26, 2008, Hong Kong
B.G.K. Ajayi MBBS, MHS
Past President, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN)
Acknowledgement I
It is an undeniable fact that there would have been
no award if I didn't have the opportunity to serve
as President of the Ophthalmological Society of
Nigeria (OSN)
And serving as president, if I didn't receive such
cooperation never ever given to any OSN
president before me.
In The Beginning
Immediately after my election, a meeting conveyed to
map out a strategic direction to revitalise the society.
 Major potential week points identified and include:
1. Lack of records – of any kind – membership; financial
and general data about the profession in Nigeria
2. Poor finances
3. Shifting secretariat
4. Poor quality of our meetings
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5. Lack of access to information
6. Training problems
Immediate Steps Taken
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Establishment of a National Secretariat
Appointment of an Executive Secretary
Identified factors gradually but steadily tackled.
For the first time we knew our numbers and had
a list of all ophthalmologists in Nigeria and locations
Annual dues were collected
Attendance at our meetings soared
International faculty was represented at our meetings.
Financially, for the first time we had surplus of income
over expenditure.
Acknowledgement II
The Coming Of The International Council Of Ophthalmology (ICO)
There could not have been an award if we were not
fortunate to have the ICO visit us, and visiting us,
starting a chain of revolutionary events in eye care in
Nigeria and in the rest of the developing world.
THE VISIT OF ICO
Distinct concerns were raised about the following:
1. Low volume of patients and surgery in training centres
2. Lack of sub-specialists and subs-speciality equipment
3. Need for trainers to update Professional and Educational
skills
Already OSN had taken the following steps:
1. Establishment of the Medical Resource Center with Internet access
at the OSN Secretariat in Ibadan;
2. Continuing Medical Education Programme
3. Train The Trainer’s Project
4. The establishment of sub-speciality groups.
Actions Taken By The ICO
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Through ICO, AAO donated Basic Clinical Science
Ophthalmology text-books to 19 institutions in Nigeria.
The ICO established Resource centres to provide high
speed internet access for 6 Training Institutions.
With cooperation of IAPB, UCH, Ibadan was designated
as the ICO/IAPB/CARL ZEISS Comprehensive
Regional Training Centre for West Africa.
Response to ICO's Intervention
Response dramatic and electrifying.
 Annual total cataract surgery in UCH before
intervention varied between 150 to 400.
 Now between 80 to 150 per month, despite severe
challenges (lack of electricity, bureaucratic, financial,
transportation etc.) The target is 300 per month.
OUTSIDE UCH
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Other training centres have taken a cue from UCH and
increases of 25 to 100% in surgical output recorded.
Sub-speciality units of glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology
and anterior segment now established in nearly all training
centres.
Vision For The Future-Nigeria
OSN's Strategic Plan.
 Vision for the Future-Nigeria was based on the
beautiful work done by the ICO.
 Was more than a plan - It was a commitment to
take our destiny in our hands!
 OSN Foundation was established to support the
objectives of the Strategic Plan.
Acknowledgement III
Private Sector Participation
Nor could there have been an award without the
tremendous and unparalleled support for eye care
given by the private sector especially the Catholic
Mission and in particular His Excellency,
Archbishop Felix Job, whose belief in our
programme made him to give top priority to eye
care.
Private Sector Involvement
St. Mary's Catholic Eye Hospital, Ago-Iwoye
- set up in response to a request for public sector
assistance for access to service
- and to provide training volume for residents in UCH
when government hospitals were at a standstill.
 Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan, AM-EYE Clinic Eruwa and
Atupa Eye Clinic Iseyin are the latest additions.
 Have signed MOU to work with UCH as part of the Carl
Zeiss Training Centre.
 Will provide a model for a sustainable comprehensive
eye care service for communities in Nigeria.
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Acknowledgement IV
Finally, there would have been no award if there
were no wonderful men and women who left the
warm comfort of their homes and countries for
the hot, humid and often times uncomfortable
climate of our world, slaving day and night to
make our hapless people see and have a taste of
the best eye care the world can give.
Prof. Gottfried Otto Helmut
Naumann
A giant of ophthalmology – a giant in physical
stature and in academic profile.
 Will not attempt to delve into his academic
profile because it is well known to you all.
 Still I must mention his leadership qualities.
- Gentle and Soft spoken
- Makes one feel at home at all times.
- Uses gentle persuasion as a tool to get his points
across
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Fritz Naumann
- He never once showed distress or discomfort despite
the harsh weather.
- Has wonderful listening ears
- He was always giving encouragement
- And showed an abundance of wisdom and energy
- Made many useful suggestions for us to follow.
- He is a visionary and a great motivator
- A truly great leader. Professor Emeritus Gottfried Otto
Helmut Naumann affectionately called “Fritz.”
Fritz Naumann
I can hear him say “Ben, my dear colleague, my
friend Ajayi”
And in return I say, “Fritz, I thank God for giving
you to the world of ophthalmology.”
If only ophthalmologists could rule the world, what
a great world it would be!
We salute a GREAT LEADER
The Journey Has Just Begun
Now we have arrived on the plain,
And can see that the journey has just begun.
It hasn't been easy and not without pain.
The greatest obstacle – coming together
To work for common good we've conquered.
We're now renewed in our conviction
That together we can and we shall,
Free our people from avoidable blindness.
And give a true meaning to this award.
Thank You
Midway up the ladder,
I wanted to give up
Because the incline was rather steep.
Some friends came round and said,
It's easier to keep up the journey to the top
That in coming down
I might slip and fall heavily to the ground.
They did more than that!
They smoothened the journey up
By making the incline less steep.
And in addition, gave me a gentle lift.
Thank God For Great Friends!