From December 9 to 15, 2024, OUI Inc.’s COO, Mr. Nakayama, visited Zimbabwe. Despite having a population of approximately 16.7 million, Zimbabwe only has 27 ophthalmologists and 65 optometrists, highlighting a significant shortage of personnel and equipment to support ophthalmic care. To address this challenge, 6 Smart Eye Cameras (SECs) were donated to St. Luke’s Hospital in Lupane District under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
On December 12, a donation ceremony was held at St. Luke’s Hospital, located about three hours by car from Bulawayo, the second-largest city in the country. The event was attended by the Zimbabwean Minister of Health, government officials, and local healthcare workers. The Minister, who is also a trained physician, expressed strong interest in our SEC and slit lamps. In his speech, he highlighted the potential of our SEC to enhance regional healthcare. The donation ceremony was also featured in an article in their local newspaper, The Chronicle.
During the ceremony, Mr. Nakayama conducted a demonstration of the SEC and introduced OUI Inc.’s efforts to address challenges in regional healthcare. Following the ceremony, a training session was held for ophthalmic nurses. The nurses quickly mastered the device’s simple operation and expressed high expectations for its role in facilitating faster diagnoses and more efficient examinations.
St. Luke’s Hospital is one of Zimbabwe’s better-equipped medical facilities. However, it does not have a resident ophthalmologist. Ophthalmic nurses are pivotal in providing eye care services to the local community. Our SEC devices will play a crucial role in supporting these nurses in performing diagnoses and assisting with treatments.
This project provided an opportunity to deepen understanding of the current state and challenges of ophthalmic care in Zimbabwe while fostering stronger collaboration with local healthcare workers. OUI Inc. remains dedicated to advancing healthcare in Zimbabwe and around the world through innovative medical technologies.
