Successful Primary Eye Care Nurse Training in Karongi and Rutsiro

Bienfait Rwanda recently completed a successful Primary Eye Care Nurse Training program in the districts of Karongi and Rutsiro, delivered in close collaboration with district authorities, local health facilities, and the Ministry of Health of Rwanda. This training was conducted using the national Primary Eye Care curriculum, ensuring alignment with Rwanda’s standards for eye health service delivery.

The primary goal of the course was to equip nurses with the clinical knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, manage, and appropriately refer common eye conditions at the primary care level. By strengthening the capacity of nurses in these districts, Bienfait Rwanda contributes to improved eye health services that are more accessible to communities, reducing avoidable vision loss and enhancing the quality of care at frontline health facilities.

The training was delivered by certified eye care trainers recognized by the Ministry of Health. Participants received structured instruction on eye examination techniques, recognition of urgent eye conditions, basic treatment protocols, health education for patients, and the use of eye care tools and algorithms as outlined in the national curriculum.

This initiative was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health, reflecting shared commitment to scaling up quality eye care services across Rwanda.

Bienfait Rwanda extends its sincere thanks to the Karongi and Rutsiro district health leadership, facility managers, clinical staff, and all partners who worked together to make this training a success. Their cooperation and dedication have been instrumental in advancing primary eye care for the benefit of the communities they serve.

Special thanks go to the Vera Ahlemann Schoeller Stiftung for their generous financial support, which made this training possible and demonstrates their strong commitment to improving eye health and preventing avoidable blindness in Rwanda.