Ophthalmology Equipment for Premature Retinopathy Screening
Equipping the major public child hospital in Chiriqui with advanced ophthalmology tools to prevent blindness in premature infants.
The project aims to equip the José Domingo De Obaldía Hospital in David, Chiriquí with advanced ophthalmology tools crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent blindness in premature infants and low-weight newborns exposed to oxygen.
Background
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a serious eye condition affecting premature babies. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina and can lead to blindness. Causes of ROP include premature birth, low birth weight, and exposure to oxygen. The only way to diagnose ROP is through an eye examination by an ophthalmologist.
The data from 2017 to 2023 shows a fluctuating but overall increasing trend in the number of ROP cases. This upward trend, particularly noticeable since 2021, indicates a growing need for specialized ophthalmological care and intervention in the region.
Description
Objectives
- Acquisition of ophtalmology tools:
- wireless digital indirect ophthalmoscope with Kapture Lite Software for video capturing and patient information storage.
- RetiVue EntireEye Desktop for wide-field internal eye structure visualization.
- Provide timely diagnosis to enable prompt treatment and prevent blindness.
Justification
Statistics indicate that 80% of babies weighing less than 1000 grams (2.2 pounds) at birth are at risk of developing ROP. Timely diagnosis is crucial for prompt treatment to prevent blindness. Vision plays a vital role in human perception, with up to 80% of sensory input received through sight, making it essential to connect our inner world with the external environment.
Location
José Domingo De Obaldía Maternal and Child Hospital in David, Chiriquí, Panama. A leading hospital offering comprehensive care, continuous professional training, and research.
It’s a key interregional maternal and child hospital serving patients from the western region of Panama:
- Chiriquí
- Bocas del Toro
- Ngäbe-Buglé Territory
- Western region of Veraguas
- Border area with Costa Rica
Beneficiaries
The following table illustrates the number of births and premature births at José Domingo De Obaldía Hospital over two years, highlighting the direct beneficiaries of our project:
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Births | 8435 | 6754 |
| Deliveries | 8349 | 6656 |
| Premature Births | 459 | 421 |
This data underscores the importance of advanced ophthalmological care for a substantial number of premature births, directly benefiting from the project aimed at preventing ROP-related blindness.
Sustainability
The hospital is managed by a Board of Trustees, which plays a crucial role in ensuring the project’s sustainability. Notably, our Rotary Club has the privilege of holding a seat on this Board.
This involvement not only allows us to contribute directly to the decision-making process but also ensures that our project aligns with the hospital’s broader goals and strategies for community health improvement.
Budget
The total budget for the project is USD 38,800.
Support Chiriquí's Premature Newborns
Help equip the José Domingo De Obaldía Hospital with critical ophthalmology tools to safeguard the sight of Chiriquí's most vulnerable infants.
