Vision 2020 - World Health Organization

VISION 2020 GLOBAL INITIATIVE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS: ACTION PLAN 2006–2011
OPHTHALMOLOGISTS
2.3 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
• Develop and promote management and leadership skills in selected personnel, who will comprise
the support system for service delivery.
• Train mid-level eye-care personnel as needed, using a core curriculum and the necessary modules,
such as for instrument maintenance and repair, low-vision care and simple refraction.
• Organize continuing professional development, as appropriate.
Strategies
• Use a team approach in human resources, in recognition of the multidisciplinary nature of eye
care.
• Create an enabling environment for the ophthalmic workforce to enhance their productivity, commitment
to eye care and retention.
• Infl uence government policies to encourage and facilitate human resource development for eye
care.
Ophthalmologists
Objectives
• Retain and optimally use existing ophthalmologists.
• Plan for and train new ophthalmologists.
• Where necessary, infl uence the national plan for human resources for health to help achieve the
targets listed below.
• Train ophthalmologists in the required sub-specialities.
Targets
• Achieve a ratio of at least one ophthalmologist per 250 000 population.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, achieve a ratio of 1:400 000 by 2010 and 1:250 000 by 2020.
• In Asia, achieve a ratio of 1:100 000 by 2010 and 1:50 000 by 2020.
Strategies
• Ensure equitable distribution of ophthalmologists in all developing countries by monitoring the
availability of required personnel at district level and providing an enabling and supportive environment
for job satisfaction.
• Enhance the quality and productivity of existing ophthalmologists and of their training facilities.
• Increase the number of training centres and make optimal use of existing training centres in the
country or elsewhere, as appropriate.
• Attract and retain staff by overcoming constraints in the workplace and providing opportunities
for continuing professional development.
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