AFGHANISTAN—The military and political situation in
Afghanistan continues to pose problems for VESI’s operations in
that country, but we are nevertheless maintaining a presence
there. Dr. Pierson spent five days in Kabul earlier this year,
primarily to meet with Dr. Froogh, VESI’s first Lawrence King
Jr. Fellow. Dr. Froogh, a bright young ophthalmologist, will
complete his VESI-sponsored retinal training in India in June
2010. Upon his return to Kabul he will become Afghanistan’s
first retinal specialist. For Dr. Froogh to make use of his
training he will need expensive equipment. VESI has approached a
Japanese aid program in Afghanistan to help provide and maintain
that equipment.
LIBYA—In January 2009 Dr. Robert Sargent spent a week at
the National Eye Institute in Tripoli doing 15 cases and
follow-up teaching to his previous visits. As in the past,
expenses were covered by the Libyan government.
PARAGUAY—VESI’s project in Paraguay continued in 2009,
with a 10-day mission by Dr. Sargent in Asumion, where he taught
pediatric ophthalmology. In May, Dr. Standefer spent two weeks
teaching advanced glaucoma methods. And in January 2010, Dr.
Brian McGuiness, an ophthalmologist on Long Island, will go to
Paraguay to teach advanced cataract and refractive surgery.
VIETNAM—In the fall of 2008 Dr. Pierson visited Ho Chi
Minh City, where he treated patients and demonstrated surgical
techniques. He returned in the spring of 2009 on a follow-up
mission. In January 2009, Dr. Standefer went to Vietnam to
provide additional training in glaucoma to one of VESI’s former
fellows, Dr. Diep. |
xxx |
BANGLADESH—VESI’s involvement in Bangladesh, now underway
for over 16 years, has emerged as a model for a sustained and
successful international aid program.
Coordinated by Professor Mohammed
Matin, formerly the country’s Minister of Health and Vice
Premier, VESI’s activities over the years have included opening
a private medical school in Sirajgonj, which now has 350
students, and starting a school of optometry in Dhaka, the first
in Bangladesh. In addition, with his hospital in Sirajgonj as a
base, Professor Matin has established a large outreach program
that includes eye screening camps and several satellite eye
hospitals. VESI’s
activities in Bangladesh over the years has included:
- Teaching modern techniques in
Dhaka through various seminars and surgery sessions.
- Lecturing and performing surgery
at the eye hospital in Sirajgonj.
- Teaching and surgery at the
Chittagong Eye Complex.
More recently, Dr. Pierson went
to Bangladesh last fall, and performed surgery in Sirajgonj and
Chittagong. He returned in 2009, for a three-week mission, which
included service at the National Ear Institute, where he
conducted surgery and lectured on facial paralysis patients. |
