
doi: 10.22605/rrh2095
pmid: 22994876
Delivering eye health services to people in rural areas, especially in fragile, post-conflict countries, is a major challenge. This article reports on the implementation and evaluation of an innovative district-based outreach service. The main project partners were the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health and an international non-government organization, with assistance from a local non-government organization.An eye care nurse in Covalima District, a remote location 178 km from Timor-Leste's capital, Dili, was provided with a motor-bike for transport and regular support for outreach eye services to sub-district facilities. Data collected over the first year of operation were examined and included: services provided, spectacles dispensed, health promotion activities conducted and the cost of providing these. The project was also evaluated for its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability.In the first 12 months, 55 outreach visits were conducted across the district's seven sub-districts during which 1405 people received vision screening, and 777 spectacles were dispensed. In addition to meeting the five evaluation criteria, compared with the hospital-based eye clinic the outreach service resulted in significantly greater gender equity among eye health service beneficiaries. This pilot project demonstrates what can be achieved when a Ministry of Health (central and district level) and non-government organizations (international and local) work in partnership to support a dedicated health care provider.
Adult, Counseling, Inservice Training, Eye Diseases, Quality Assurance, Health Care, rural areas, International Cooperation, Timor-Leste, Child Health Services, Health Promotion, Public-Private Sector Partnerships, Health Services Accessibility, health behavior, XXXXXX - Unknown, Medical Staff, Hospital, Humans, Child, Developing Countries, 360, Hospitals, District, eye, Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Socioeconomic Factors, care and hygiene, Rural Health Services, Program Evaluation
Adult, Counseling, Inservice Training, Eye Diseases, Quality Assurance, Health Care, rural areas, International Cooperation, Timor-Leste, Child Health Services, Health Promotion, Public-Private Sector Partnerships, Health Services Accessibility, health behavior, XXXXXX - Unknown, Medical Staff, Hospital, Humans, Child, Developing Countries, 360, Hospitals, District, eye, Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care, Socioeconomic Factors, care and hygiene, Rural Health Services, Program Evaluation
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 5 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
