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 Retinal teaching in Myanmar
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Sight For All Visionary, Associate Professor Henry Newland AM recently spent a week in Myanmar as part of a retinal team visiting eye hospitals in Yangon and Mandalay. Dr Newland took with him new equipment, including a laser to assist in retinal surgery and was involved in extensive training in the field. Thanks to Dr Newland for his ongoing support of Sight For All's teaching programs in Myanmar.
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EY Social Entrepreneur 2015
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Congratulations to Sight For All Chairman Dr James Muecke AM who was awarded the EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year for the central region on 16 July 2015. This EY initiative is the only global program of its kind and is considered the world’s most prestigious business award. Dr Muecke, was recognised for his humanitarian work and passion for blindness prevention. The award was announced by MC Adam Spencer and presented by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Martin Haese.
Congratulations James!
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Second Paediatric Eye Unit in Myanmar
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With assistance from the Australian Government, Sight For All is proud to announce Myanmar will now have its second paediatric ophthalmology unit.
In 2010, Sight For All trained Dr Than Htun Aung, Myanmar’s first paediatric ophthalmologist, and provided the equipment to establish the country’s first paediatric ophthalmology clinic. Over the past year, Dr Aung has been training the second paediatric ophthalmologist for Myanmar, Dr Tin Mg Thant, who will soon be travelling back to his home town of Mandalay and will begin treating children there.
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Through the support of the Australian Government, Sight For All is providing the equipment that Dr Thant will need in the clinic and operating theatre to treat thousands of patients each year. Sight For All Chairman, Dr James Muecke will be travelling to Mandalay in October to work with Dr Thant to set up the new unit.
Thank you to the Australian Government for their support that will make a difference to the lives of thousands of children in Upper Myanmar.
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Pledge $10 For Change
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Interested in crowd funding?
Keen to help the people of Lao?
Sight For All has recently launched a crowd funding program on Pozible which aims to raise $10,000 to train a paediatric ophthalmologist in Lao. The challenge is simple. If we reach our target goal before the expiry date the project goes ahead but we do need your help. It involves a minimum pledge of $10 from numerous supporters, it is a collective goal with all involved taking ownership of the project's success.
The Pozible project will enable Sight For All to provide specialised training to a local ophthalmologist in the treatment of children both clinically and surgically at a level of competency we expect in our own lucky country. In time, this fellow will go on to train their own colleagues in Lao, providing vital sustainability in an area of the world so under serviced.
In a continent which is home to two thirds of the world's blind children, the impact of blindness on a child and their family is far-reaching and the socio-economic impact on a country can be immense. Research shows half of these children have blindness that could have been prevented or treated. So lets get this project underway and share our knowledge and education to help these children.
Through your support of $10 For Change, you are making a difference, playing a major role in eliminating avoidable blindness in children.
For more information visit the campaign on Pozible
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Q & A with our new Board Director,
Dr Nick Andrew
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Why did you pursue a career in ophthalmology?
During medical school I realised that I wanted to work in an area of medicine that combines outpatient consulting, procedural skills, and caters predominately to the elderly. Many subspecialties fulfill these criteria, but for me, ophthalmology stood out for several reasons. Firstly, since sight is one of our most cherished senses, the work can be very emotionally rewarding. Secondly, ophthalmology is a highly dynamic field, constantly energized by innovation and new technology. Thirdly, the diseases of the eye are wonderfully diverse, and I think that the profession is a nice combination of science and art. Ophthalmology is also somewhat unique in that it is relatively easy for clinicians to have a tremendous impact in remote and disadvantaged communities. I think that I am well suited to ophthalmology because I am a bit of a perfectionist, although my height and the slit lamp are still learning how to be friends! However, like all relationships, as long as they each get some time away from each other then they’re just fine…
Can you tell us a bit about yourself outside of ophthalmology?
I was born in Darwin but raised and schooled in Adelaide. I studied medicine at the University of Adelaide and I spent the majority of those years rowing – I was fortunate to compete in a few Australian rowing teams during my studies. I’m now married, and my wife Theresa and I have just completed our ‘renovator’s delight’ in Thebarton. Luckily, our 80kg Great Dane puppy lets me share his bedroom as my study. He’s a good study partner – by age six months he was already an expert on droopy eyelids…
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Where are you up to with your medical studies?
I am undertaking my second year of ophthalmology training, which is typically a 5-7 year program. I am also on the home stretch in finishing my PhD in orbital inflammatory disease.
How did you become involved as a volunteer with Sight For All?
A few years ago I was invited to accompany Sight For All to Myanmar as a research assistant. Sight For All provided substantial equipment upgrades to many eye centres across Myanmar and my role was to collect data to measure the impact that this intervention had on cataract rates and surgical outcomes. My memories of visiting the eye hospitals in Myanmar will stay with me for life, which thankfully wasn’t true for the giardia I contracted in KL en route…
What has it been like to join the board of directors of Sight For All?
Although I run the risk of this sounding like Sight For All propaganda, I can honestly say that I have been extremely impressed by the professionalism and dedication shown by the Board and staff of Sight For All. There are many exciting things happening at the moment (literally too many good ideas to pursue at once) and every week there are important decisions to be reviewed and actioned by the Board. As a new Board Director, I see my role as bringing a fresh perspective and new ideas to the discussion, and I do my best to think laterally and carefully consider all options. Recently, Sight For All nominated itself for accreditation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A staggering amount of work went into this submission and although Sight For All narrowly missed out on approval this time, the organisation is now in a stronger position going forward.
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