A wave of steaming heat wrapped my body as we stepped out of Dhaka Airport in Bangladesh. We are on our way to a small town of Gazipul, which is 30km north of Bangladesh’s capital, Dahka.
Every year, 150,000 people go blind in Bangladesh. It is 25 times higher than Korea’s 0.02%. Strong sunlight and high level of sand dust on the street make children’s eyes weak, but the main cause of blindness comes from not being able to treat a simple infection properly. WHO warns 60% of children who become blind would die within a year due to poverty and accidents accompanied by the blindness.
After 2 hour journey to North, we arrived at the Eye Clinic at Karamtola Hospital in Gazipul. There are only 700 ophthalmologists for the population of 150 million in Bangladesh. That means one ophthalmologist takes care of at least 200,000 patients. And most of the eye doctors are concentrated in the nation’s capital, Dhaka. It is hard to receive proper eye care and treatment in rural area like Gazipul. In partnership with Karamtola Christian Hospital, Heart to Heart Foundation established the Karamtola Eye Clinic in 2009. And in August 2011, Mid Level Ophthalmic Personnel (MLOP) training center was built to raise and train local medical professionals.
With training, MLOPs can exam and treat most of simple eye infections up to 60% and assist ophthalmic tests and surgeries. They can also prescribe eye glasses for low vision. WHO recommends there would be one MLOP personnel for every 50,000 population in the developing countries.
There is a need for 3000 trained MLOPs in Bangladesh for 150 billion, however, there are only 700 working MLOPs in Bangladesh. Ms.H.Y. Lee, Team manager of Heart to Heart Foundation’s International Development Programs said, “It is important to empower mid-level medical professionals who can take a part in local health centers and give blind prevention education to local communities.”
MLOP training at Karatola Eye Clinic is a one year course with theories and field education. Basic medical training in physiology and anatomy is given as well as in patient examination, laboratory tests, and surgery assistance. Dr. Bertin Guda, Ophthalmologist and Principal of MLOP Training School at Karamtola Eye Clinic said, “Our MLOP course is designed to give practical training for the students. They are taught in both Bengal and English for basic medical terms.” Dr. Bertin Guda developed the curriculum to accommodate the needs of the local students. The MLOP students are given tests in English every week and take a part in medical outreach in the communities in the remote areas of Gazipul. Heart to Heart Foundation provides free MLOP training and living expenses for the students.
MLOP Training Center in July 2012. Out of 18 graduating students, 8 students are already employed or expecting interviews with Eye Hospitals in Dhaka. And a promising new class of 25 started the MLOP Training Center in July 2012. All 25 faces look hopeful and bright with dream of shedding lights to patients.
By staff writer Jung Yoo Jin
