Following June’s successful eye visit to Baucau, the Oecussi eye team followed to perform an outstanding 288 consultations and 69 operations. Oecussi is a coastal Timorese territory whose geographical boundaries lie outside of Timor Leste in West Timor, Indonesia. This area can only be reached by a 12 over hour ferry boat or by chartered plane.
The Oecussi team was made up by Dr Bill Glasson, Dr Kevin Vandeleur, Nurse Barbara Anderson, Nurse Wendy McKay, Optometrist Andrew Koch and Optometrist Colin McKenzie. Since 2008, St John Ambulance Australia has also supported this visit and sends representatives to support the eye team and run vital first aid training skills at the hospital and local orphanages.
After years of mentoring and guidance, local eye care staff have grown in their skills base and in their confidence to control and own the pre-screening assessments and consultations prior to the eye team’s arrival. This enables the team members to concentrate their efforts on treating more difficult and complex cases and further developing local staff skills through the job training.
Team leader, Dr Bill Glasson says,
“We have an extremely good team that visit Oecussi. There is a wonderful atmosphere, wonderful camaraderie … all of us ensure fantastic clinical outcomes for the patients, both undergoing surgery, but also those being assess by optometrists and receiving spectacles. I think we should be proud of this service.”
