Training course builds local capacity for sustainable eye care
A specialised training course for eye health care professionals aims to strengthen eye care services across the Pacific region.
The Ophthalmic Instrument Maintenance Training Course, hosted at the Pacific Eye Institute in Fiji from 18-22 November, bought together 20 participants, including eye care nurses, technicians, and biomedical engineers from six Pacific Island countries.
The course is designed to empower local health professionals with the expertise required to independently maintain and repair eye care equipment. Through a combination of hands-on training and expert guidance, participants developed the confidence to troubleshoot and repair instruments effectively, extending the life and performance of these valuable devices and ensuring minimal disruption to essential eye care services in their communities.
A key feature of the course was its practical approach, led by biomedical engineers from the Aravind Eye Care System, in India, one of the world’s leading institutions in ophthalmic education.
Aravind engineers provided valuable insights into best practices for maintaining, calibrating, and repairing instruments, with a focus on equipping participants to address common challenges in eye care equipment.
Lead Facilitator, Professor Nagamani Nadar Manickam, said by the end of the course participants considerably increased their confidence in handling ophthalmic instruments.
“It was a great boon to the facilitators to train the trainees by imparting theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. On the final day, the trainees were very happy to note that they can confidently handle any ophthalmic [equipment] gently and with joy.”
Course participant, Sisilia Raravula, has been working as an eye technician for the past 11 years, but said it wasn't until this workshop that she “really got to appreciate the equipment we use”.
“I'm sure we can now fix our equipment without having to order new ones every time something goes wrong,” she said.
The initiative was made possible through a partnership between The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ and Aravind Eye Care System, bringing together expertise and resources to create a lasting impact in the region.
Additional funding was also provided by the Latter-day Saints Charities; The Pacific Community (SPC), who sponsored three biomedical engineers from Fiji, Solomon Islands and Samoa; and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), who sponsored a biomedical engineer from Vanuatu.
Dr Audrey Aumua, Chief Executive Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, said the training course aligns with The Foundation’s broader mission to reduce avoidable blindness and vision impairment in the Pacific.
“By equipping Pacific Island nations with the tools and knowledge needed to maintain their ophthalmic equipment, The Foundation is ensuring that high-quality eye care services remain accessible and sustainable in the region,” she said.
The initiative also supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting sustainable health systems and local workforce development. By reducing dependency on external support and strengthening local expertise, this project is a key step toward long-term improvements in sustainable healthcare across the Pacific.