GEOFFREY MPHATSO KWABENA WIAFE
Filed under: GEMx Regional Exchanges, GEMx Student Reflections
Post including excerpts of a report by Geoffrey Mphatso Kwabena Wiafe, who recently completed an Ophthalmology elective at the University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya –a GEMx facilitated College of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa (COECSA) Regional Exchange.
The University of Nairobi is located in Nairobi, the capital and largest city of Kenya. The University of Nairobi started postgraduate training in Ophthalmology in 1978 under the Department of Surgery. Ophthalmology became an independent department in 1990. The department has trained over 159 Ophthalmologists from 1978 to date. The teaching eye clinic is housed by Kenyatta National Hospital and there are various sub specialties including Glaucoma, Oculoplastics, Vitreo-retinal and Anterior Segment which I benefited from during my one month elective period.
Geoffrey examining a patient using an indirect ophthalmoscope
I am very fortunate to be one of the students from my University to be involved in the GEMx Elective program. Being a part of the exchange has further boosted my interest in sub specialties like Oculoplastics and Vitreo-retinal surgery.
The first half of my elective period was primarily spent at the sub specialty clinics, where I had the opportunity to see a wide variety of interesting cases including Aponeurotic Ptosis, Congenital Glaucoma, Choroidal Detachments and Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSC). I was also given the opportunity to take patient’s history, examination, and work up. Then, I presented some of the cases to the consultants and they gave me a better understanding of the diagnosis and how to manage those conditions.
I also had the privilege of learning and participating in the screening of Retinopathy of Prematurity, which made me more confident in not only the use of an indirect ophthalmoscope but examining neonates.
The last week of the elective took place in the clinic and operating theatre. Spending time in the operating theatre, I was able to observe for the first time the surgical repair of a retinal detachment. I also observed Laser surgery (photocoagulation) and vitrectomy surgery.
During my elective period I was also fortunate enough to have attended a few lectures on approach to management of Glaucoma and Glaucoma surgery and complications by Professor Damji. I also gained more insight on interpretation of visual fields and optic coherence tomography findings.
Dr Teddy, Dr Muchai (VR Surgeon) and Geoffrey
In general, the elective as a whole was a great experience. Both the consultants and residents were always ready to assist in whatever way possible to make our stay in Nairobi a memorable one. Towards the end of the elective I was certainly more confident and had a much better understanding of the management of several conditions.
Ophthalmology is an extremely rewarding and dynamic field of medicine. This elective gave me the opportunity to acquire more theoretical and practical examination skills. I look forward to using these skills during the rest of my training and career as an ophthalmologist.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Global Educational Exchange in Medicine and Health Professions for the elective opportunity.
College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, central and Southern Africa for funding and organizing.
Ophthalmology Department, University of Nairobi for providing multiple learning opportunities.
Kenyatta National Hospital for providing multiple learning opportunities.
Ophthalmology Department, Mbarara University of Science and Technology for allowing me to undertake this elective.
Tags: University of Nairobi