The Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in collaboration with the University Health Services and the Hochschule Muchen University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany has launched a Tertiary Low Vision Centre to advance eye care services and training.
The Centre, equipped with over thirty (30) state-of-the-art equipment was unveiled on Monday, 2nd December 2024 at the KNUST hospital.
The Principal Investigator and HM KNUST Ghana Lead, Dr. Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo, disclosed that the HM KNUST Low Vision Project aims to train students and eye care professionals at different levels of health care for sustainable implementation of low vision services. He noted that the centre will provide specialist care for patients with visual impairment, advance teaching and research and strengthen institutional leadership in delivering advanced optometric services. “This signifies a collaborative effort to help prevent blindness and improve care for persons with vision problems,” he said.
Professor Dr. Werner Eisenbarth, Principal Investigator and German Lead of the project highlighted the critical role of international collaboration in the project's success. He disclosed that the HM KNUST Low Vision Project was made possible with funding support of 300,000 euros from the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung Foundation. He lauded the efforts of various stakeholders whose dedication enabled the project's success.
Dr. Nana Kwame Ofori Ayisi-Boateng, Director of the University Health Services, KNUST, expressed gratitude to the EKFS Foundation for the funding and reiterated the hospital's commitment to leveraging the centre to achieve its intended purpose. He also noted the importance of future collaborations to enhance healthcare delivery at the institution. He was hopeful that the Centre would utilise the donated equipment to serve patients with low vision and advance research practices.
As part of the collaboration, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between University Health Services and the Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences. The MoU outlines the terms for using the facility and its equipment.
