SPECSAVER PROVIDES EYE CARE SERVICES

SPECSAVER GIVES CHARITABLE SERVICE IN BAGAMOYO

Free for all eye care services, including provision of distance and reading spectacles, was provided by a team of eleven Optometrists and volunteers representing the internationally known SPECSAVER at the Bagamoyo District Hospital. The two-day free service was provided by staff of the Specsaver  from Sweden and some local Optometrists and interpreters.

By today (Monday 29^th Feb.) afternoon hours more than 150 Bagamoyo residents had been examined by three qualified Optometrists and some were given reading or distance powered spectacles. The team was putting up at the Seacliff Hotel in Dar es Salaam and will be in the country for approximately one week.

The entire team looked enthusiastic, paying particular attention to the aged women and men, despite the “harsh scorching weather condition” for the team coming from the cold northern hemisphere (temperature latest -2 there to +35c here) at the Bagamoyo coastal town. Despite the fact that Bagamoyo District Hospital is just a few meters away from the beautiful sandy beach, the usual sea breeze seemed to “have taken a break” in the day time.

SPECSAVER is an internationally known company with more than 900 stores in the United Kingdom and Europe with over 30,000 staff  in markets in Europe and Australasia. It provides trusted eye care services, affordable glasses in Europe and across the globe. Hearing services provided by fully trained Audiologists are included.

A British couple, Mary and Dough Perkins established Specsaver in  Gvernsey  in the UK in 1984 and with lots of hard work and careful planning, it was recorded as the largest privately owned optician in the world in the subsequent years.

Mary Perkins, her title being the “Founder” of Specsaver was awarded Rotary International Community & Vocational Service Award for her charitable services. She was the first female Optician in the United Kingdom to receive the title of Dame Commander of the Order of British Empire (DBE) in 2007. The numerous accolades in her name includes the title of Hon. Doctorate in business from Plymouth University.

In 2013 she was assessed as one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom by BBC Radio 4 media in the woman’s hour programme.

The services at Bagamoyo are expected to close by evening hours of Tuesday 1^st March.

Story & Pictures by Abdul Hai

Bagamoyo News Blog

An Optometrist from Specsaver, among a team of eleven eye-care specialists from SPECSAVER, examines the eyes of a patient at the Eye Department of Bagamoyo District Hospital on Monday morning (29th Feb.).

DECADE OF IHI AT BAGAMOYO

A DECADE OF ACHIEVEMENT & BRIGHT FUTURE

The accomplishment of ten years of research, training and service at the Bagamoyo Branch of Ifakara Health Institute was described as a “great hope and bright future” for Tanzania and on international level. Speaking at the symposium to celebrate The Decade of IHI at Bagamoyo, the Director of Preventive Medicine in the Ministry of Health, Gender, Children & Elderly, Dr. Neema Rusibamayila said the future was bright for shaping up the health of the people.

The symposium was held at the conference hall of Kingani, an ultra modern complex where clinical trials and training are conducted. Speaking on behalf of Deputy Minister Hon. Dr. Hamis Kigwangala who could not attend the function due to other pressing duties, Dr. Neema said local Tanzanian Scientists in collaboration with international institutes and agencies were doing a great work.

She remarked that the ten years of establishment and service was a contribution towards global health value.

The Director of the IHI, Dr. Salim Abdulla  who is one of the pioneer in the growth of the institute from ground level said in his presentation; “ over just ten years, these humble beginnings have grown into an international centre of excellence”.  He told his audience in his power point presentation that Bagamoyo was firmly established as a world-class research centre.

Speaking in both English and Kiswahili, Prof. Marcel Tanner who is Director of Swiss Tropical Institute & Public Health spoke of his satisfaction at the growing trend of the IHI in Bagamoyo and wished everyone a note of congratulation.

Earlier on the Director  General of COSTECH and Chairman of the Board of IHI, Dr. Hassan Mshinda warmly invited all the stakeholders, collaborating institutes and agencies, members of the public to the symposium. A photographic display of the IHI works and future plannings were arranged as an exhibition for the people.

Ifakara Health Institute receives most of its financial resources in the form of research grant from competitive calls. Core funding from the Government of Tanzania COSTECH and the Ministry of Health and other significant grants have been received from not less than fifty well known international institutes, agencies of the UN and friendly Governments. 

Story & Pictures by Abdul Hai

Director of Preventive Medicines, Dr. Neema Rusibamayila from the Ministry of Health, Gender, Children and Elderly speaking during the symposium to mark ten years of IHI at Bagamoyo.

Some of the Attendees listening to the speakers at the symposium held at the ultra modern IHI clinical trials and training  facilities at Kingani, Bagamoyo.

Director of IHI, Dr. Salim Abdulla who presented the historical narration of IHI Branch at Bagamoyo since its formation to the present scenario described as "international centre of excellence and a world-class research centre.

Representative of one of the collaborative institute Sanaria, Dr. Stephen Hoffman speaking to the audience. Others (L to R) Prof. Marcel Tanner (Director of Swiss Tropical Health); Chief Guest Dr. Meena Rusibamayila from Ministry of Health, Gender, Children and Elderly and Dr. Hassan Mshinda (DG of COSTECH & Chairman of IHI Board.

A cover picture of booklet written and presented by Director Salim Abdulla.