Evaluation of RACS International Eye Health Programs

Project Details

RACS’ vision is that safe surgical and anaesthetic care is available and accessible to everyone. RACS Global Health provides specialist medical education, training, capacity development and medical aid to 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region including through the East Timor Eye Program and the Sumba Eye Program.

The goal of the East Timor Eye Program is to reduce preventable blindness in Timor-Leste by helping build a sustainable, self-sufficient and effective eye health system for the Timorese people. The program delivers a wide range of in-country training activities and facilitates capacity building of the national eye health workforce through education and clinical service delivery coupled with on-the-job mentoring and training. The Sumba Eye Program was established to support the delivery of eye care services to the large number of patients with avoidable blindness and low vision on the island of Sumba, Indonesia. RACS has supported the implementation of the Sumba Eye Program through annual outreach clinics and training to ophthalmologists and ophthalmology trainees from Hasanuddin University.

We are undertaking the first in-depth and independent evaluation of both programs. We will be assessing the extent to which both programs delivered against their objectives with reference to program relevance, effectiveness, impact, efficacy and sustainability and, gender and disability inclusion.

Our findings will contribute to the broader evidence-based around what works in eye health programming and, surgical and health system development.

Researchers

Dr Kris Hort

Ms Andrea Boudville

Funding

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)