A health worker explains the process for eye screening using Peek to a patient in Ghana.
Credit: Vision for a Nation
Eye screening is underway in Ghana as part of the first programmes launched through Peek Vision’s new partnership with Vision for a Nation (VFAN).
The Peek-powered community eye health programmes are running in Bongo and Talensi Districts in the Upper East Region of the country, with plans for programmes in further districts after the initial phase. The programmes aim to deliver eye health care at the community level, by making it available in all primary health facilities in the districts.
69 people (mainly primary eye care personnel, as well as ophthalmic nurses, a cataract surgeon and district supervisors) have so far been trained to use the Peek smartphone-based screening tools, to enable them to quickly and accurately assess people’s vision and refer them on to follow-up appointments if required.
Jennifer, one of the health workers now using Peek as part of the programmes, said: “Peek makes documentation easy, allows quick and easy referral, and enables easy monitoring to track the performance of facilities.”
The real-time data provided by the Peek technology and tools will provide local programme managers with insights to make rapid adjustments to the programmes. This will help ensure that eye health services are reaching the people who need them most.
Since the programmes launched in February 2021, more than 1100 people have been screened and nearly 400 referred on for follow-up appointments.
There are plans to scale up to more districts following the successful completion of these initial pilot projects.
Reina Der, Monitoring and Reporting Lead at Vision for a Nation, said: “In Ghana, especially in rural communities, access to quality primary eye care services is a key challenge as most eye care facilities are located in major towns and cities. Integrating primary eye care into the primary health care system is one way to bridge the gap and through our partnership with Peek, we are aiming to reach thousands of people in rural communities with much needed eye care services.”
Hulda Nduru, Peek’s Programme Management Lead for Ghana, said: “Working with Vision for a Nation means we can bring Peek technology and approaches to new areas. Partnerships are integral to how Peek works, and our collaboration with VFAN is already helping to increase access to eye health in Ghana.”
VFAN is a charity which aims to unlock the potential of the world’s poorest communities by making eye care globally accessible. Since their inception, they have been at the forefront of developing innovative practices to support better eye health in low- and middle-income countries.
In addition to the programmes running with VFAN in Ghana, Peek is currently powering programmes in multiple other countries in Africa and Asia through its partnership with CBM.