Ophthalmological Society of Ethiopia
The Ophthalmological Society of Ethiopia (OSE) is a professional association of ophthalmologists established in 1994. It is legally registered and accorded legal personality with Registry Number 0481 as local organization by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Its vision is to be a dependable advocate and valued society for its members as a leader for quality eye care in Ethiopia and the Eastern, Central and Southern Africa region, a reputable society in Africa and the world at large. OSE’s mission is to ensure rights of members, develop their capacity through continuing education to provide quality service, education and research in eye care by upholding professionalism, ethics, and active engagement of its members and stakeholders so that all people in Ethiopia have access to high quality eye care service. OSE has 165 full members who are working in governmental institutions (hospitals and teaching institutions), private clinics and non- clinical/ program management tasks. The OSE is a member of the International Council of Ophthalmologists/The International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (ICO/IFOS), College of Ophthalmologists for Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (COECSA) and African Ophthalmology Council (AOC). The OSE is represented in the executive committee of the National Committee for Prevention of Blindness (NCPB) as the Vice Chairman. OSE is also a member of the Executive Board of Trustees of the Eye Bank of Ethiopia (EBE).
Vision
To be a dependable advocate and valued society for its members and be a leader for quality eye care in Ethiopia and the ECSA region and be a reputable society in Africa and the world at large.
Mission
OSE works to ensure rights of members, develop their capacity through continuing education to provide quality service, education and research in eye care by upholding professionalism, ethics, and active engagement of its members and stakeholders so that all people in Ethiopia have access to high quality eye care service
Core values
- Professionalism
- Societal responsiveness
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Networking and Participation
- Volunteerism
- Fostering Membership and Engagement
Ophthalmology in Ethiopia in Brief:
In Ethiopia, the prevalence of blindness and low vision is 1.6% and 3.7% respectively, representing one of the highest prevalence rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and the world. (National Survey on Blindness, Low Vision and Trachoma, 2006.)
According to 2017 reports, there are 142 general ophthalmologists including 20 subspecialists practicing in the country. Across Ethiopia, there are only 47 public secondary eye care units and four tertiary centers. Five Universities conduct training for eye health workers, including, Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and Cataract surgeons.
The Government of Ethiopia has recognized blindness as one of the major health problems of the country and has done its best in the past few years to address this situation. The government officially launched the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight Global Initiative in September 2002. The FMOH has developed four National Five-Year Eye Strategic Plans in line with V2020 activities. These tasks are coordinated through the national committee for the prevention of blindness (NCPB) chaired by FMOH and membership of the committee includes