Texas Service Trip - May 2008

Vision Care:
General
A team of 8 people from Texas spent 9 days in Hanoi and Lao Cai province providing health and hygiene training as well as eyecare. The eyecare team (mainly Dr. Hunt) also had an opportunity to visit the Vietanamese National Eye Institute (VNIO) and participate in training and patient care there. There were 2 people specific to the eyecare segment of the trip, Michae Hunt, MD, pediatric ophthalmologist and Dyanne Larew, ophthalmic technician.



Vision Screenings
The team went to SS3 and SS4, orphanages and elderly care centers, where we screened residents and staff for glasses. We were able to give some glasses away that we had with us and were able to record prescriptions for others. We will have the glasses made and delivered to these residents. At SS4 we screened 56 children and 43 adult staff. We were able to give 16 pairs of glasses and recorded prescriptions for 10 more. The children were very receptive and eager. The communication and organization were mediocre. At SS3, 17 children, 47 elderly, and 14 adult staff members were screened . We were able to give 21 pairs of glasses, recorded prescriptions for 6 others, and identified 19 other elderly residents with dense cataracts that would benefit from cataract surgery. We hope to develop a program to fund these patients having cataract surgery at VNIO. SS3 was very organized and receptive to our group. In total we screened 177 and gave or prescribed glasses for 53.



VNIO Visit
Dr. Hunt spent 2 ½ days at VNIO and was able to give 2 specialty specific lectures on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and strabismus surgery. He also had the opportunity to provide consultations to patients in the pediatric clinic as well as observe and assist in surgery on pediatric patients. This was a very positive experience, and I think that a great opportunity exists for partnership with GVI and VNIO in the future as other doctors come and can give lectures and participate in clinic and the operating room.

Health & Hygiene Education

A team of 3 people, 2 translators, and 3 helpers taught health topics to children (and some staff members) at several locations on the May 13-24 Vietnam trip. Classes were held in Hanoi at Sponsor Society #3 and #4 as well as in the villages of Si Ma Cai and Na Hoi in the Lao Cai province in northern Vietnam. The health topics included information on how easy it is to spread germs and how to help slow down or prevent their spreading, proper nutrition for a strong and growing body, proper hand washing techniques and the importance of taking proper care of their teeth. Approximately 225 students were taught. The lessons were engaging and the children were especially excited about the large, "Texas Size" model teeth used in the dental lessons! All of the children received a toothbrush at the end of the classes.