New Sight Eye Center graduates New Batch of Vision Technicians

On the occasion marking the sixth graduation ceremony, the New Sight Eye Center (NSEC) Ophthalmic Training Program, four persons earned advanced diploma as Vision Technicians.

The ophthalmic training program is a component of NSEC’s activity founded in 2017. It could be recalled that the Ministry of Health accredited training program through the Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery. As part of the accreditation requirement, New Sight Eye Center and the Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery identified two African countries, The Gambia and South Africa for benchmarking and best practices on ophthalmic nursing training.

A Vision Technician is an allied healthcare professional who possess comprehensive knowledge and experience in vision management, and to assist ophthalmologist and optometrist in prevention of blindness. A Vision Technician supports people affected by various refractive errors to understand and manage the condition.

Program occasioning the graduation of the eye clinicians was held Friday, November 24, 2023 at the NSEC Training Center in Paynesville, outside Monrovia.

Giving an overview of the program, the Executive Director of NSEC, Robert Dolo, explained that NSEC emerged as a result of a passion for eye health and a strong desire to provide comprehensive eye health services to Liberians.

According to him, the institution started in 2006 by Robert F. Dolo and Kartee Karloweah, in association with Unite for Sight, who worked for the Crystal Eye Clinic in Ghana providing community eye health services. Always being aware of the need that this type of service was greater in Liberia, Mr. Dolo furthered that they made the decision to voluntarily relinquish their jobs to return to Liberia and offer these much needed services to their beloved homeland.

“The first critical step was taken by the NSEC incorporators who provided the necessary start-up funding to complete all the documentation. The NSEC Board of Directors volunteered their expertise to guide the planning and development of the program. The Sinkor Rotary, in partnership with Newtown Rotary (Connecticut, USA) and Rotary International awarded a Global Grant to fund the equipment and medicine needed. Friends from as far away as Australia, Canada and the US, and as close by as Monrovia, ranging from physicians to medical researchers to classroom students, added what support they could so that the New Sight Eye Center could become a reality,” he explained.

Among other things, Dolo assrted that the program is intended to help achieve quality eye care across the nation and reduce the incidence of avoidable or preventable blindness through awareness and treatment.

In remarks, the guestspeaker at the occasion, a presidential candidate in the just ended elections on the ticket of the Liberia First Movement, Sheikh Al moustapha Kouyateh, stressed the importance of investing in eye health as a means to protect against blindness, improve the vision of citizens, and address the need for increased mid-level eye health professionals in the workforce.

He lauded NSEC for its unwavering commitment to restoring and protecting the sight of Liberians through dedication to transform the lives of countless individuals, by giving them the precious gift of vision and hope.

“The significance of investing in The New Sight Eye Center Ophthalmic Program and more eye doctors cannot be overstated. Our eyes are our windows to the world, allowing us to experience its beauty, navigate our surroundings, and connect with others. However, we must acknowledge that visual health is vulnerable and can be threatened by various eye-related conditions and diseases,” said the Liberian politician.

“By expanding our pool of skilled eye doctors, we can reach more individuals in need and provide them with the specialized care required to preserve their eyesight. That is why the investment in mid-level eye healthcare workers is a crucial step in ensuring that eye care services reach every corner of our society. These mid-level professionals, such as ophthalmic technicians and opticians, work alongside ophthalmologists and optometrists, providing essential support and expanding the capacity of eye care delivery,” he furthered.

“The New Sight Eye Center Ophthalmic Program has recognized this need and has equipped its graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill these roles as mid-level eye healthcare workers. As you leave this institution, you carry with you the ability to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and communities. Embrace your role with dedication and compassion, for you are the bridge that connects patients to the specialized care they need.”

He urged the graduates to make use of their ability to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals and communities.

He called on them (graduates) to embrace their role with dedication and compassion, noting that they are the bridge that connects patients to the specialized care they need.

“Investing in mid-level eye health professionals not only addresses the growing demand for eye care services but also promotes accessibility and affordability. These professionals play a vital role in screening and diagnosing eye conditions, assisting in surgical procedures, fitting and dispensing eyeglasses, and providing patient education. By strengthening the mid-level workforce, we can ensure that more people have access to timely and affordable eye care, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.”

“Graduates, today marks the beginning of a tremendous responsibility—the responsibility to be the advocates for visual health, the champions of eye care accessibility. As you embark on your professional journey as mid-level eye healthcare workers, remember the significance of your role. Each patient you encounter is an opportunity to make a difference, to empower individuals with the gift of sight, and to contribute to the overall well-being of our society,” he added.