Vietnam, 16-22 November 2025

To support Orbis Vietnam in strengthening low vision and vision rehabilitation services across the country, nine optometrists from Vietnam underwent training at the Low Vision Rehabilitation Services of Aravind-Madurai. As a continuation of this initiative, Dr. Sahithya and Sr. Jegadeswari from the Paediatric Clinic, Aravind-Madurai, along with Mohammed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO, visited Vietnam to conduct a needs assessment, demonstrate the setup of a low vision clinic, and conduct a workshop on low vision and vision rehabilitation.

During the visit, the team engaged with four institutions: the National Institute of Ophthalmology, Vietnam; Van Thau Eye Hospital; Hai Phong Hospital; and Hanoi Medical University.

The Aravind team established a fully functional Low Vision Clinic at Van Thau Eye Hospital and conducted a one-day workshop titled “Improving Low Vision Services in Vietnam”. The workshop brought together 35 participants from eight eye hospitals, all committed to enhancing services for individuals with low vision.

Both Orbis and the partner hospitals expressed their commitment to conducting monthly follow-ups to ensure effective implementation of the action plans and to further strengthen low vision services across Vietnam.

LAICO, 2-6 December 2025

LAICO conducted the 2nd Batch of the “Vision Centre Management Course” for nine participants from India and Zimbabwe. The training aimed to enhance demand generation, performance, efficiency, best practices, and long-term sustainability of Vision Centres.

The hands-on course equipped participants with essential skills in Vision Centre operations, community engagement, patient follow-up, optical service management, and maintaining clinical quality. Emphasis was placed on the effective use of data and software tools to support informed decision-making.

The programme combined classroom sessions with field visits and real-time observations at Vision Centres, providing participants with practical insights and actionable strategies. By the end of the training, participants were equipped with practical skills and strategies to enhance the reach, quality, and sustainability of eye care services in their communities.

Tanzania, 22^nd November 2025 to 2^nd December 2025

To estimate the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment on Zanzibar Island, Tanzania, LAICO provided training to a 10-member research team at its partner institution, Ebsar Eye Hospital. The training was conducted by Vinoth Kumar, Research Associate, LAICO, who also facilitated the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey with the support of the trained team. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, a total of 4,200 individuals aged 50 years and above have so far been examined in their households using the RAAB 7 methodology. The findings of this survey will support evidence-based planning for eye care services.

LAICO, 12-29 November 2025

LAICO organised the 55th Batch of the “Certificate Course on Community Outreach and Social Marketing of Eye Care Services” for three participants from India and Tanzania. The programme included classroom sessions covering topics such as demand generation, service marketing, GIS planning, and estimation of eye care needs for the service area population.

Participants also visited community sponsors and attended various types of eye camps. They had the opportunity to observe counselling sessions, received training in developing health education materials, and participated in eye camp monitoring meetings. Towards the end of the training, the participants developed outreach strategies for their own hospitals, which they will implement upon returning to their respective locations.

Eritrea, 24-29 November 2025

Cure Blindness, Ethiopia, organised the Ophthalmic Instruments Maintenance Training Course at Berhan Aini Hospital, Asmara, Eritrea, facilitated by Aravind Eye Care System, Madurai, India. The training was conducted by faculty from the Biomedical Engineering Department, Aravind, including Prof. N. Manickam, Consultant, and N. Kasthuri, Biomedical Engineer. During the training programme, the working principles of various ophthalmic instruments were discussed. Selected instruments were demonstrated through dismantling and reassembling, with participants divided into two groups for hands-on practice.

Regular assessments were conducted daily. Each trainee received a handbook on Ophthalmic Instrument Maintenance, a training video, and a set of special tools, a digital multimeter, and a soldering kit.