Western Health and Social Care Trust, N. Ireland and ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Posted on 19. Apr, 2010 by Erin in Health Links

About the Link

In 2004 Dr Abuh, Medical Director of ECWA Eye hospital, Kano, requested a link through the VISION 2020 links programme run by the International Centre for Eye Health. He wanted to develop his paediatric ophthalmic service – improving management of paediatric cataracts, developing his team’s skills in performing orthoptic assessments and visual acuity measurements in children, and enhancing his own strabismus surgical skills.  In 2008 Mrs Rosie Brennan asked ICEH to find a VISION 2020 link partner for WHSCT. The two institutions were considered a potentially suitable match and in Sept 2009 six people from the WHSCT made a Needs Assessment visit to ECWA Eye Hospital, Kano.  This group comprised a senior manager, an anaesthetist, an orthoptist, an optician, an ophthalmologist and a theatre sister.  A return visit of a team of six from ECWA came to the WHSCT December 2009.   This group comprised an ophthalmologist, an optician, an anaesthetic nurse, the theatre charge nurse,  a theatre nurse and an orthoptic nurse.  The Needs Assessment phase of the link was completed, a three-year activity plan was devised and an MOU signed.

Fields of work

Anaesthesiology, Cancer, Nursing, Ophthalmology, Surgery

Current activities

In April 2010 a team of six from the WHSCT will go to Kano for a week.  During this week  the following activities will occur.  For paediatric cataract management, biometry and postoperative care will be discussed focused around specific cases.  A specific children’s outpatient clinic will be set up.  Training will be given to 3 members of staff in visual acuity assessment in children, stereopsis assessment and how to perform the prism reflex test, cover test, prism cover test and how to assess ocular movements.  Surgical planning for concomitant squints will be discussed.  Horizontal squint surgery will be performed.   The WHO guidelines for surgical safety were implemented following the last visit.  There will be an audit review of this.  Biomedical engineering support will be provided by an engineer for preidentifed equipment.   The necessary parts for these repairs will be brought with the team.

Please see our website www.vision2020kano.org for our reflections on the visits so far, our expectations of the visit from the WHSCT team to Kano in April 2010, photos of our times together and details of our fundraising acitivities.

Link requests

A link with the Kenyan National Retinoblastoma strategy group.  Investigations into how to establish this are ongoing.

Contact information

UK
Mrs Rosie Brennan
Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Glenshane Rd
Londonderry
BT47 6 SB

Tel: +44 28 7134 5171
Email: rosie_brennan@btinternet.com

Nigeria
Dr Abuh Sunday Omogani
ECWA Eye Hospital
PO Box 14
Kano
Kano State
Nigeria

Tel: + 234 8060297605
Email: ecwakano@hotmail.com