Sri Lanka Optometry – History in the making
View(s):A significant moment in Sri Lanka’s optometric history was marked today. For the first time the country will have an internationally recognised optometry university degree programme.
Born out of a need for Sri Lanka to increase the number of trained eye care personnel to serve the eye care needs of 21 million Sri Lankans, as well as improve the regulatory systems for new and current practitioners the programme is a step in the right direction for optometry development in the country.
Spearheading the initiative is the Institute for Human Resource Advancement, University of Colombo in partnership with the Brien Holden Vision Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia. The organisations have signed a collaborative agreement to develop the Bachelor of Science in Optometry program. Dr Rohan P Perera, Director IHRA.UOC emphasised that “this partnership would enable Sri Lankan youth and others currently in the eye care profession to obtain a globally recognised yet affordable degree
Handing over MOU - Ms.Anitha and Dr.Rohan Perera - Director IHRA
locally. Also this highlights HE President of Sri Lanka and the Hon. Minister of the Higher Education their vision to develop Sri Lanka as an education hub by year 2020 ”.
Distinguished guest, Acting Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency, Ms Sonya Koppe said, “Improving vision care through the provision of education will help transform and improve the lives of thousands of Sri Lankans. Access to optometrists is something we are all likely to need at some point in our lives and it is wonderful that the two institutes are going to be working together to improve the lives of ordinary Sri Lankans”.
Her Excellency Ms Koppe further reiterated that “the Australian government is very pleased and proud that the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation, which has already done so much to improve eye care in so many countries, is partnering with the Institute of Human Resource Advancement University of Colombo. We strongly support the institute’s commitment to improving public health in eye care in a range of countries. Your work is inspirational and incredibly important”.
Explaining the significance of the collaboration was Dr Luigi Bilotto, Director of Global Human Resource Development for the Brien Holden Vision Institute Public Health Division, he said, “The agreement between these institutions is a momentous one. Not only will this partnership develop a programme that will continuously generate a highly skilled workforce of eye care professionals, but on a national level it will advocate to standardise optometry and optometry education institutes across the country.”
Addressing the importance of a standardised level of care was Mr Hasan Minto Programme Director for South East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean for the Brien Holden Vision Institute. “The current situation in Sri Lanka emphasises the need to develop quality services across the spectrum of care. When services are not regulated and standards of education differ it is hard for the public to put their trust in the profession. When trust is lost people choose to go without the eye care they need and that can be very damaging to individuals, families and communities.”
Some distinguished guests and well-wishers that were unable to attend the signing event; Dr Sunil Jayantha Navaratne – Secretary Ministry of Higher Education, Dr Saman Senanayake – Consultant Ophthalmologists and Vision2020 Focal Point for Low Vision and Childhood blindness, Dr Champa Banagala – Consultant Ophthalmologists and Directress School of Ophthalmic Technologists, National Eye Hospital, Colombo, acknowledged the historic significance of commencing the programme, and how it would have an immeasurable impact on the quality of eye care provided in the country”.
Finally Ms Anitha Munasinghe – Country Representative, Brien Holden Vision Institute pointed out that the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the organisations is seen as a major victory for optometry in Sri Lanka. Standardised, regulated eye health services both in the public and private sector will strengthen infrastructure and increase development in the eye care industry. In the future it is hoped that the signing will also provide assistance to facilitate degree programs in other universities in the country.
For more information about the Brien Holden Vision Institute or its work to improve access to optometric services worldwide please visit www.brienholdenvision.org
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