Representatives of private institutions, doctors, ophthalmic technicians and the association of disabled people reflect on new financing mechanisms for eye health. A two-day national workshop has been held since yesterday in Thiès.
Since yesterday, Thiès has hosted a meeting on funding mechanisms for eye health. Over two days, participants will examine their needs and identify strategies to improve access to eye care. The meeting was initiated by the Federation of Associations of Disabled People (Fsaph), with the support of Sightsavers, an NGO which supports health and development policies in Senegal. The activity brought together representatives of the Ministries of Economy, Health, Education, Family, businesses and banking structures. According to Abdou Cogna Diop, deputy treasurer of the Fsaph, the meeting aims to take stock of the situation and reflect on the financing mechanisms for eye health. “The State has certainly made efforts, but the funding for eye health is largely covered by technical and financial partners. Faced with a possible withdrawal of the latter and the scarcity of resources, it is necessary to find new sources of endogenous financing,” he believes.
In this regard, the Fsaph and health stakeholders believe that “local authorities and businesses, within the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), must now participate in the financing of eye health”. In his presentation, Doctor Mouctar Dieng Badiane, coordinator of the National Eye Health Promotion Program, stressed that eye health care remains a major problem, even if efforts are made, particularly in the elimination of glaucoma. Dr Badiane indicated that the prevalence rate of blindness is 1.42% in Senegal, with 165,000 blind and 550,000 blind. The main causes are cataract, trachoma and refractive errors.
“Thanks to the interventions of partners like Sightsavers and Direct Aid Society, real performances have been noted in the equipment and training of health workers,” rejoiced Dr Badiane. He recalled, during this meeting, that Senegal has 91 ophthalmologists and 81 eye care units. However, an inequality in the distribution of human resources and infrastructure remains a major problem. According to the coordinator of the National Program for the Promotion of Eye Health, 60% of the infrastructures are located on the Dakar-Thiès-Saint-Louis axis.
Pape Coly FORT