Delivering V2020 in the
Caribbean
Promoting Vision 2020: The Right to Sight to eliminate
avoidable blindness through capacity building in Guyana,
Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Caribbean Region
A Partnership between
St.Lucia Blind
Welfare Association
This project is funded by the European Union
Project Objectives
 Reduce the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment
amongst rural and poor populations in the Caribbean
 Strengthen collaboration and coordination between
government, NGO and private stakeholders at regional
and national level to support effective implementation of
programmes for the provision of inclusive services to
persons who are blind or visually impaired
 Build the capacity of Project Partners and V2020
Committees in Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica and St Lucia to
establish and strengthen mechanisms and approaches to
develop, implement and monitor eye health activities that
increase access to services for persons who are blind and
visually impaired.
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Problems to be addressed:
 Poor coordination between governments, NGOs and the
private sector
 Lack of planning and weak implementation of national eye
health strategies and plans
 Poor distribution of eye health personnel particularly in
rural areas
 Insufficient eye health facilities and inadequate
infrastructure
 Lack of awareness amongst health care personnel,
decision makers and the general public.
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Key Project Activities
 Strengthening partner capacities, systems and processes
through recruitment, training, technical support and
networking activities
 Development, implementation and review of National Eye
Care Plans with mentoring and support for V2020
Committees
 Skills development for eye health professionals, primary
health care workers, teachers and program support staff
 Establishing/refurbishing, equipping and modernising public
and NGO eye health facilities
 RAAB’s and eye health studies
 Developing eye health communications using IEC materials,
TV, radio, newspapers and primary health care workers
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Outputs at Regional Level:
 The population of the four target countries (approx 13.3m)
will be sensitised on eye health seeking behaviour and
prevention of blindness
 6 million children and adults will be screened
 3 million people will be treated for the five priority diseases
 Over 75,000 surgeries or treatments will take place to
prevent loss of, or restore sight
 10 ophthalmologists, 15 optometrists, 23 refractionists, 54
low vision personnel, 1,240 primary & community health
care workers and teachers, 21 spectacle lab personnel
and 10 maintenance personnel
 7 operating theatres, 13 vision centres and 5 spectacles
labs
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Outputs for Haiti –
Coordination, Infrastructure & Communications:
 CNPC representatives to attend Annual V2020 Meeting
 Provision of technical assistance to SHAA and CNPC-Haiti
 Support for eye health Knowledge, Attitude & Practice
Studies (KAP)
 Establish 4 Vision Centres (diagnostic, refractive and low
vision services) Establish 3 Surgical Theatres
 Establish 1 Spectacle Lab
 National Communications/Awareness Program, including;
−
−
−
−
Media
Health professionals and policy makers
Community
World Sight Day and World Glaucoma Day activities
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Outputs for Haiti – Training:
 Scholarship for 3 Ophthalmologists (3 years course in
Haiti)
 Scholarship for 4 Optometrists (4 years course in
University of Guyana)
 Scholarship for 4 Refractionists (1 year course in
University of Guyana)
 Training for 3 Low Vision specialists
 Training for 10 Low Vision Counsellors
 Sensitising of 360 Health Agents (Primary Health Care
workers)
 Training for Dispensing Technicians, Spectacle Lab
Technicians and Maintenance Technicians
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Schedule of Activities
Activity
CNPC representatives attend
Annual V2020 Meeting
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
1
1
1
1
1
Support Ongoing
Provision of technical assistance to
SHAA and CNPC
Support for eye health Knowledge,
Attitude & Practice Studies (Max 4)
Establish 4 Vision Centres
(diagnostic, refractive and low vision
services)
Establish 3 Surgical Theatres
2
1
2
(Eliazard
Germain)
(St. Marc
& SHAA)
1
(Eliazard
Germain)
2
1
1
1
(St. Marc)
1
Establish 1 Spectacle Lab
(SHAA)
National
Communications/Awareness
program
Ongoing
Vehicle for project & outreach
1
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Schedule of Activities
Activity
2010
2011
Scholarship 3 Ophthalmologists
(3 year course in Haiti)
Scholarship 4 Optometrists (4yr
course in University of Guyana)
Scholarship 4 Refractionists (1yr
course in University of Guyana)
2012
1
3
2
3 students
1
2
10
100
Train 4 Dispensing Technicians,
2 Maintenance Technicians
1
2
3
Train10 Low Vision Counsellors
2 Spectacle Lab Technicians &
2014
63students for 3 years
Train 3 Low Vision specialists
Train 360 Health Agents (Primary
Health Care workers)
2013
1
100
100
60
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
Funding, Duration & Support
 Project 74% funded by the European Commission
 Component funding – 26% from Sightsavers & CCB
 5 year project
 Commencing January 2010, ending December 2014
 Technical support from Pan American Health Organisation
(PAHO) and International Centre for Eye Care Education
(ICEE)
Further details available from SHAA, CNPC, CCB and
Sightsavers
Delivering V2020 in the Caribbean - Haiti
THE END