12th International Conference on Ophthalmology marks 20 years of AECP activities
The two-day 12th International Conference on Ophthalmology began September 14 in Yerevan, with the participation of representatives from the Government of Armenia, Ministry of Health, U.S. Embassy and USAID, embassies and non-governmental organizations.
U.S. Ambassador John A. Heffern and Armenian Minister of Health Derenik Dumanyan welcomed the participants of the event.
The conference brought together renowned experts of various fields of ophthalmology from Armenia, the United States, Europe, CIS countries, Caucasus, Central and Middle Asia to foster a vigorous exchange of information and knowledge in various specialties related to eye care.
The conference was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of USAID, AECP, the Ministry of Health, and Gebauer Stiftung, a Swiss charity foundation.
Prevention of childhood blindness through combating Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and the announcement of the USAID/AECP joint project “Center of Excellence for Prevention of Childhood Blindness” (CEPCB) were the main topics of the conference’s first day.
The mission of the CEPCB is to develop specialized ophthalmological capacity to help children from Armenia and abroad avoid childhood blindness. The Center will also take the lead in the exchange of knowledge among medical professionals in the region.
“Through USAID support, the AECP has the exciting opportunity to be the first in the region to establish and develop this Center of Excellence. The Center will function within one year at the Republican Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, as decided preliminarily,” AECP President Roger Ohanesian said at the event.
Initially, the project will focus on childhood blindness caused by Retinopathy of Prematurity and related eye diseases in conjunction with providing quality newborn care in Armenia and encouraging regional cooperation.
Day two of the conference (September 15) will concentrate on the activities of the AECP in the past 20 years, and the advances made in eye care thanks to fruitful cooperation between Armenian and American physicians, authorities, and donors. Presenters will highlight the AECP countrywide program, the activities of its Mobile Eye Hospital, as well as practical and scientific studies and achievements.
The AECP has published a 20 Years Anniversary brochure “Highlights – 20 Years Bringing Hope & Sight” which may be accessed at http://www.eyecareproject-armenia.com/files/AECP-20-years-eng.pdf.