Mission: FOCUS is dedicated to promoting eye care solutions in Haiti.
This is not only through direct patient care, but more importantly by training, equipping, and supplying Haitian ophthalmologists and those in training the tools and support they need to successfully deliver high quality eye care to the people of Haiti. Central to our mission is the idea that progress is best made through coordination of various eye care organizations and individuals in a way that leverages the strengths of each through effective communication and coordination of activities with our Haitian colleagues.
NO MORE BLIND BABIES:
FOCUS Inc. believes that nothing is more important than preventing or treating blindness in children and we are committed to our campaign to eradicate this by supporting the development of pediatric ophthalmologists in Haiti. This dream has been augmented recently by our award of a grant from USAID CBP, United States Agency for International Development Childhood Blindness Prevention in 2021 to support both a pediatric fellowship training program and a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) program in Haiti.
INFRASTRUCTURE
FOCUS Inc provides support for many different infrastructure projects at the eye clinic at HUEH. (State Hospital) Everything from running water to electricity was a constant struggle, especially when the electricity would be lost during surgery. FOCUS with the help of our donors installed a solar power/battery back-up system that automatically kicks in on loss of electricity from the very unreliable grid. We have paid for high speed internet service for the last several years to support our lecture series and telemedicine initiatives.
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
We currently have an internet connection for review of surgical cases and for teleconsultations. Through grants from Zeiss, ASCRS, and Digicel, we will soon be able to do high bandwidth real time wet lab and surgical cases. Video recording will then occur and be stored in the cloud, so surgeons in Haiti can record their cases for later review, or even remote real-time monitoring. This system will eventually allow a video library of teaching cases to be created.
Results: Education and Training:
We have developed an entire curriculum delivered by interactive telemedicine in French that is both comprehensive and tailored to the most common needs in Haiti. Surgical training has been greatly enhanced by frequent visits by FOCUS volunteer surgeons In addition, FOCUS built a full-time wet lab with advanced video capabilities with good quality microscopes so that junior residents can hone their skills on simulation eyes before operating on live patients.
New Clinics in Haiti:
FOCUS Inc. is dedicated to removing obstacles and assisting in the development of new eye
clinics in Haiti staffed by recent graduates of the residency training program that we have been
working with throughout their training. The cost of equipment, supplies, materials, and clinic is a major barrier preventing the establishment of a new clinic. This is especially true in the areas
outside of Port au Prince as the cost and risk of any new venture are usually prohibitive.
Equipment:
Focus Inc. realizes that equipment costs are a major barrier to delivering quality eye care and
we strive to remove these obstacles by providing high-quality cost-effective equipment to both
the residency program and newly established clinics in the most underserved areas of Haiti.
FOCUS supplies each new resident with personal examination equipment at the start of their residency with help from our donors and industry partners.
Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship
Children require special care and many ophthalmologists are not able to perform the specialized procedures that children require. The FOCUS/USAID pediatric ophthalmology fellowship began in May 2021 with the support of a USAID Childhood Blindness Prevention grant. The first pediatric fellowship was awarded to past Chief Resident, Yamilee Cherubin. An examination room at the eye clinic was refurbished and equipped to examine children
Target demographics: train eye surgeons to care for their own people
Direct beneficiaries per year: 400 blind patients in Haiti to see, trained 5 fellows in Pediatrics, Medical Retina, Cornea and Glaucoma.
Geographic areas served: low and middle income countries such as Haiti, Rwanda, and Honduras.
Programs: No More Blind Babies for retinopathy of prematurity, develop fellowship trained surgeons in all subspecialties of ophthalmology.
FOCUS is conducting inspiring global ophthalmology ventures to both educate and equip physicians in developing countries, so that they can provide exceptional eye care to the citizens of their respective nations. My time spent working alongside Dr. Daniel Alter and Dr. Ana Bastos-Carvalho in Haiti during 2021 was nothing short of great motivation to provide accessible healthcare to those that need it the most. The picture below highlights the start of the day with local attending physicians and visiting physicians working with residents in an academic setting before moving into developing clinical skills while treating patients throughout the day. For some of these patients, this may be their first opportunity to seek ophthalmological care in their lives. Within the United States, the FOCUS board and volunteers work diligently throughout the year to secure funding and develop plans to broaden into other areas of the world that need eye care. With expansions into Rwanda, Burundi, and Jamaica, FOCUS is pushing boundaries and setting a great example for other global ophthalmology nonprofits to make an impact on the lives of others!
drmathenge
Professional with expertise in this field
08/02/2023
Rating: 5
08/02/2023
Thanks to the equipment donations from FOCUS, ophthalmologists trained in Rwanda are now able to be exposed to and learn the latest in diagnoses and treatments for their eye patients.
Dr-JC
Professional with expertise in this field
07/16/2023
Rating: 5
07/16/2023
Thanks to Focus, Bujumbura -Burundi the capital city has now access to retina surgery services. This was an attainable objective without the great generosity from Focus. We recommend the valuable work Focus is doing in several parts of the world.
jcropsey
Professional with expertise in this field
07/07/2023
Rating: 5
07/07/2023
FOCUS has been the major champion for helping the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology launch vitreo-retinal surgical services in the tertiary government referral clinic where our residency is based in Kigali. This is a huge asset for our patients and our trainees. FOCUS has also helped launch a gifted VR surgeon to open the first VR surgicak services in the economic capital of Burundi, Bujumbura. A board member is also helping to make pediatric eye surgery available in Eastern Congo for blind children. Thank you FOCUS! It has been amazing partnering with you. John Cropsey, MD
Yamilee
Professional with expertise in this field
11/04/2022
Rating: 5
11/04/2022
Ive known and work with FOCUS team since I was a first year resident in 2015, FOCUS has had a positive impact on my life as a person and healthcare professional (ophthalmologist). FOCUS is the main donor of clinical and surgical equipments to the State University Hospital of Haiti. From my young age in ophthalmology, I was able to see the positive evolution of young residents through the program that FOCUS instituted in the ophthalmology department, now there are fellowship programs in ophthalmology in Haiti. I am also aware that the work that the Focus team does requires time, money and determination. thank you for the children who receive a free pair of glasses, thank you for everything that you do.
dupuyjr
Professional with expertise in this field
10/27/2022
Rating: 5
10/27/2022
In the northern part of Haiti, there were no Ophthalmologists taking care of retinal detachment and patients had to travel to Dominican Rep to find some treatment. With the help of FOCUS, Inc Vision Plus Clinique in Cap-Haitian was equipped and Doctors trained successfully to deliver a broad range of treatments for retinal diseases . We are very grateful for your support.
mrvakharia
Professional with expertise in this field
10/26/2022
Rating: 5
10/26/2022
FOCUS is dedicated to providing free vision restoring surgery in Haiti and Rwanda, and training local doctors to provide this care to those who need it most, including premature babies whose lives are forever enhanced. They give the gift of sight which is priceless.
