Kokoda teaching for optometrist

Warragul optometrist John Farmer has recently completed another week of teaching in Papua New Guinea.

Thirty community health workers from around the Oro Province gathered for a week of Basic Eye Care training at the Kokoda College, located at the northern end of the Kokoda trail.

John was teaching at the college with one of his former students, Theresa, who is now a lecturer in eye care at the Divine World University.

This was the first of a number of courses intended to help community health workers from remote parts of PNG with a basic understanding of eye care.

Dr Farmer said it was a great opportunity to work with Theresa, who had become a key leader in eye care training in PNG.

“We had great week teaching these community health workers who were all eager to learn as much as they could about eye care.

“They come from remote parts of the Kokoda area where there is only one ophthalmic clinician for the province, so eye care is not readily available.

“We hope that by improving their understanding of eye conditions they will be able to better support the visual welfare of their communities,” he said.

The course was organised by PNG Eye Care, sponsored by the Kokoda Track Foundation and supported by the Brien Holden Vision Institute.

The second course planned for next month will be run by Theresa and another national eye care trainer.

Dr Farmer spent a few days in Port Moresby after the course for meetings with the university and Education Department to further discuss eye care training courses.