AOF FORUM

Dear Friend,

In this issue:
AOF Updates

Dear Colleague,

As we start a new year, I wish to seize the opportunity to thank our friends and partners, in particular the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), as well as the AOF executive for the achievements of 2011.

In this vein, the The African Ophthalmology Forum is cordially inviting all African Ophthalmologists and FRIENDS of AOF to the 2nd AOF WOC Dinner and Reception, which will take place on February 18th at Rocco Forte Hotel, Abu Dhabi from 18:00-20:00. This will be an opportunity to celebrate the past two years and chart the way forward.

The hotel is located about 5 minutes away from ADNEC (Convention Center for WOC 2012).


THE YEAR 2011 IN RETROSPECT
1. The most notable achievement in 2011 was the First AOF International Congress, co-organised with the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, from Wednesday 7th September to Saturday 10th Sept 2011 in Lagos.

2. Africa Ophthalmology Forum Website was launched in June, closely followed, in July, by the African Ophthalmology Forum Newsletter. Our database contains 530 African ophthalmologists and 40 friends of the African Ophthalmology Forum, who receive our monthly newsletter. Both the website and the newsletter are tools designed by AOF to keep us informed of developments in ophthalmology in Africa. The website also has an impressive database of training material that was distributed during various leadership workshops for African ophthalmologists organised by ICO and MEACO between 2007 and 2009. I strongly encourage you to make use of these invaluable resources.

3. Membership of AfricaVision, the African Ophthalmology Forum’s discussion group, increased to 158. AfricaVision is a tool, that makes possible direct communication among colleagues through announcements, seeking a second opinion on difficult clinical cases etc.

4. Membership of Ophtalmo, the African Ophthalmology Forum’s discussion group for French speakers increased to 98.

5. Membership of Glaucoma Africa, a discussion group specialising in the management of glaucoma in Africa increased to 49.

MAIN ACTIVITIES FOR 2012
1. The World Ophthalmology Congress in Abu Dhabi will be the first major event in this year’s calendar, and we look forward to meeting as many of you as can make it there come February 16th – 20th, especially during the aforementioned AOF Dinner and Reception.

2. AOF and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) will finalise an agreement for free access to the AAO ONE Network for AOF members. This will make it possible for African ophthalmologists, who are still unable to access the AAO ONE network due to lack of local ophthalmology society access, easy access to the network.

3. We hope to finalise registration procedures for the African Ophthalmology Forum, and put in place the remaining organs.

4. To continue looking for twinning and accreditation arrangements with institutions in sub Saharan Africa, which will make it easier for doctors to obtain quality residency and fellowship level training in ophthalmology.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED
1. By sharing our newsletters with your colleagues and ophthalmology residents, who are not yet on our mailing list.
2. By joining AfricaVision, Ophtalmo and Glaucoma Africa and encouraging your colleagues to do the same.
3. By sending announcements about events organised by your local ophthalmology society for publication on the AOF website and the AOF Newsletter.
4. By liaising with the AOF executive responsible for your sub region and volunteering to support AOF through any of its soon to be created organs.

Once again, and on the behalf of the AOF executive, I wish to thank you for being part of the AOF Vision.

Warm regards, Dr. Kunle Hassan FRCS, FRCOph, FWACS
Chief Medical Director
Eye Foundation Hospital Group | Deseret Community Vision Institute
President of Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria.
President, African Ophthalmology Forum
Board Member International Council of Ophthalmology
ICO Advocacy Coordinator for Africa
IAPB Council Member
27, Isaac John Street, G.R.A Ikeja,
Lagos, Nigeria.
www.eyefoundationhospital.com