Assessing the Progress towards Achieving "VISION 2020: The Right to Sight" Initiative in Ghana.

Enyam Komla Amewuho Morny,Maureen Adanna Mmaduagwu,Kwame Yeboah,Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi,Stephen Ocansey,Samuel Kyei

doi:10.1155/2019/3813298

Enyam Komla Amewuho Morny, Maureen Adanna Mmaduagwu + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3813298

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Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to analyse eye health delivery in Ghana and examine the progress towards achieving VISION 2020 indicator targets. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2017 and May 2018. It used a mixed method approach including desk-based reviews, a questionnaire-based survey of eye facilities in Ghana, and interviews with eye health system stakeholders to collect information on eye health delivery in facilities owned by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), quasigovernmental bodies (security agencies), and Christian Association of Ghana (CHAG). The information was benchmarked against the World Health Organization (WHO) targets for achieving the goals of VISION 2020. Results The magnitude of blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment (without pinhole) was 0.9% and 3.0%, respectively. The number of ophthalmologists available at the country level was 80.6% of the VISION 2020 target with optometrists and ophthalmic nurses exceeding targets for VISION 2020. The distribution of human resources was heavily skewed towards two out of the 10 regions in Ghana. Cataract surgical rate was low and met 25% of the WHO target. Basic equipment for refraction was available in the majority of facilities; however, there was a general lack of specialised eye care equipment across the country. Comparatively, CHAG facilities were better equipped than GHS facilities at the same level. Conclusion The Government of Ghana should revitalize the goals of VISION 2020 beyond the year 2020 and spearhead a concerted effort to ensure equitable distribution of human and infrastructural resources across the country.

Highlights

Visual impairment (VI) affects an estimated 442 million people globally, of whom 36 million are blind [1, 2]
VISION 2020 focused on three major strategies: (i) disease control and eye care delivery, (ii) human resource development, and (iii) provision of appropriate technology and infrastructural facilities. ese strategies were to be implemented at country levels through the development and implementation of individual national plans. e commitment of governments to the initiative was the single most important factor to achieving VISION 2020 [4]
With less than two years to go to the end of the programme, a comprehensive evaluation of the VISION 2020 initiative in Ghana is required to assess the progress towards achieving the goals of the initiative. e aim of the study was to evaluate the VISION 2020 initiative in government and Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) owned facilities in Ghana. e information will be useful in the planning of eye care services beyond VISION 2020

Summary

Introduction

Visual impairment (VI) affects an estimated 442 million people globally, of whom 36 million are blind [1, 2]. E World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) launched the VISION 2020: the Right to Sight Initiative in 1999, to reduce avoidable VI and eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020 [4,5,6]. VISION 2020 focused on three major strategies: (i) disease control and eye care delivery, (ii) human resource development, and (iii) provision of appropriate technology and infrastructural facilities. Ghana signed on to the VISION 2020 programme by launching the National Eye Health Program on October 31st 2000, and the country is believed to have made progress in reducing blindness and controlling eye diseases [7]. E aim of the study was to evaluate the VISION 2020 initiative in government and Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) owned facilities in Ghana. With less than two years to go to the end of the programme, a comprehensive evaluation of the VISION 2020 initiative in Ghana is required to assess the progress towards achieving the goals of the initiative. e aim of the study was to evaluate the VISION 2020 initiative in government and Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) owned facilities in Ghana. e information will be useful in the planning of eye care services beyond VISION 2020

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