PROVISION OF OPHTHALMOLOGIC HEALTHCARE

The programme, integrated in the National Health Service, allows equal access of the population of Sao Tome and Principe to quality eye care (primary and specialised), previoulsy only possible through medical evacuations for treatment in the Portuguese National Health Service.

The service is currently based on the relationship between three key areas to provide quality medical care: the consultations system remotely via teleophthalmology , the field missions carried out by Portuguese doctors and nurses and a screening model provided by local technicians.

The Ophthalmology missions to Sao Tome and Principe occur  fur times a year, on average. In each mission (2 weeks duration), approximately 600 consultations and 100 surgeries are performed. Each mission is meticulously prepared months in advance, with M.D. Luis Pereira as Coordinator of the Specialty from the onset.

Due to the technical and clinical training conducted by the eye care specialty teams during the missions, 20 Sao Tomean healthcare professionals ensure the operationalization of iSee throughout the country, ensuring the screening in the health centers and the referral of patients.