The Senior Management Team met three times this quarter to review the organization’s progress in each programme area. The SMT members took part in a Management Training session on June 22nd, conducted by Valerie Woods of InSight Management who had also produced our Strategic Plan and was therefore very familiar with the responsibilities of the SMT.

 A Board meeting was held on April 28th to review organizational matters and outcomes from the first Quarter, and to discuss BCVI’s finances to date. The date for the Annual General Meeting has been set for Thursday July 8th, 2010. A meeting of the Irish Aid Consortium was held on May 14th in Belize City for the four member organizations, Help for Progress, SPEAR, BCVI and Tumul K’in. The Consortium agreed to team up once again in the hopes of receiving further funding from Irish Aid in 2011. BCVI, as Lead Agency, has prepared a project that will look at strengthening each organisation in its effort to contribute to national development in their area of work. The Canada Fund has issued a call for new proposals. In June, BCVI submitted a Project that will cover both the Toledo and Punta Gorda Districts. The project, entitled, “Restoring Sight and Improving Vision in Southern Belize” will run for approximately 6 months and will allow BCVI to increase the number of patients seen and treated. The funds will also allow us to provide Secondary Eye Care Treatment for those who would otherwise not be able to afford it. We hope to hear from the CFLI in the next Quarter. 

A forum for all stakeholders involved in eye care was organised by PAHO and the Ministry of Health and held at the Radisson hotel on 31 May.  Dr Juan Carlos Silva and Ms Marilyn Entwistle of PAHO were the main organizers and presenters for this event and Philip Hand, Sightsavers attended as an observer.  A draft National Eye Health Plan has been produced and has been circulated to all participants for their input.  The first step in this plan is the appointment of a focal point in the Ministry of Health and the formation of a Vision 2020 Committee.  BCVI is hopeful all this activity will lead to an improvement in the provision of affordable, quality eye care countrywide.

As part of this commitment to the national Eye Health Plan, this past quarter has seen a great deal of discussion and activity regarding the BCVI Database and the introduction of the Belize Health Information System (BHIS), the Ministry of Health’s countrywide database of which BCVI will now be a part. With its implementation, BCVI will increase efficiency and reporting and the use of the BCVI database will be discontinued.  We shall begin implementation of the BHIS at the beginning of September in Belize City at the National Eye Clinic (NEC) once the staff has been trained in its use.  Demonstrations by the Ministry of Health IT staff have been given and Ruth Sherratt, a volunteer with BCVI, will oversee the implementation. 

A group of three optometrists, Drs Zubel, Briggs and Wilson from RAM Mission, Utah, USA spent a week in April conducting eye clinics.  These clinics were held daily at the NEC and clinics were also conducted in Hattieville, Ladyville and for the employees of Courts in Belize City.  A total of 282 were seen by this group and they issued 204 prescriptions.  Accompanying family members also assisted at the clinic and with the production of Braille text books.  They enjoyed there visit and intend to make it an annual event.

The National Eye Clinic (NEC) enjoyed the services of Dr. Baxter McLendon for the months of May and July. He examined patients and treated them for various visual problems. McLendon also conducted outreach clinics in Orange Walk, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. McLendon is scheduled to return to BCVI in August. Dr David Boes, ophthalmologist performed cataract surgery at the NEC from the 8 June until 10 June. He performed a total 35 surgeries for patients from Belize City, Dangriga and Punta Gorda.  He was accompanied his daughter Emily and scrub nurse Nancy Mayernik who not only assisted at surgical sessions but reorganized the storage room and surgical supplies.  This was a very successful visit and we are pleased to note that Dr Boes will make regular visits. Dr Paul Beer, Retinologist conducted two clinics in May.  He examined a total of 37 patients and 14 of these patients 14 received laser treatment for their diabetic retinopathy.

In the past three months, BCVI provided rehabilitative support to 171 clients countrywide through 110 rehab and education support visits and 116 home visits. Our The National Eye Clinic referred 2 newly blind clients to the Regional Field Officers (RFOs) for rehab services and follow-up. Countrywide, the RFOs also visited clients needing to see the ophthalmologist, assisted those who had received cataract surgery and also ensured glaucoma medication was available.

BCVI continues to be able to accomplish its work through grants from Sightsavers, CBM, Irish Aid, Canada Fund, Electric Aid, the Government of Belize and National Health Insurance (NHI), as well as fees for services and help from generous friends and supporters.