Browsing by Author "Kanji, R."

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    Diabetic retinopathy screening program in Southwestern Uganda
    (The Journal of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, 2020) Arunga, S.; Tran, T.; Tusingwire, P.; Kwaga, T.; Kanji, R.; Kageni, R.; Hortense, L. N.; Ruvuma, S.; Twinamasiko, A.; Kakuhikire, B.; Kataate, B.; Kilberg, K.; Gibbs, G.; Kakinda, M.; Harrie, R.; Onyango, J.
    Between 2019 and 2045, the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) will double; associated with this, the burden of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is also expected to increase, especially in low-resourced settings. To prevent avoidable visual impairment and blindness, early detection through screening and early treatment are necessary. To enable access to these services, we developed the Lions Diabetic Retinopathy Project for southwestern Uganda to serve the region including 17 Districts with eight million inhabitants. Methods: A three-pronged strategy for mass screenings levering the existing general health system and opportunistic screening of higher-risk population. Capacity building involved training a vitreoretinal surgeon and allied eye care providers, installing critical infrastructure at the referral eye hospital, and acquiring equipment for primary health centres. Results: In 1.5 years, 60 DR screening camps were implemented; this led to screening of 9,991 high risk individuals for DM and 5,730 DM patients for DR. We referred 1,218 individuals with DR for further management at the referral eye hospital, but only 220 (18%) attended referral. The main barrier for not attending referral was long travel distance and the associated direct and indirect costs. Human resources trained included 34 ophthalmic nurses, five midlevel providers, and one vitreoretinal surgeon. Major equipment acquired included a vitrectomy system, an outreach vehicle, and non-mydriatic fundus cameras. Conclusions: DR screening can be implemented in a resource-limited setting by integrating with the general primary healthcare system. However, geographic barriers stymie delivery of therapeutic services and we need to establish models to bring these services closer to areas with poorer access.