GAF Eye Health Foundation recently conducted a successful retinoblastoma health education session at Butiru Chrisco Hospital, Manafwa. The initiative aimed to raise awareness among hospital staff about retinoblastoma, focusing on early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
The primary objective of the outreach was to educate hospital staff about retinoblastoma, a rare but life-threatening eye cancer affecting young children. The session aimed to enhance the staff’s understanding of the disease’s symptoms, diagnostic methods, treatment options, and prevention strategies.
The session attracted approximately 56 participants, including nurses, doctors, administrative personnel, and support staff. Awareness of retinoblastoma was notably limited at the beginning of the session. However, by the end of the training, participants had gained valuable knowledge about the disease. The training featured comprehensive presentations enhanced by visual aids, including slides, images, and videos, which helped facilitate understanding and engagement. Additionally, a question-and-answer segment allowed participants to clarify their doubts and seek further information about the disease.
GAF Eye Health Foundation conducted this training with support from KnowTheGlow, which played a crucial role in enhancing the quality of the training and promoting a deeper understanding of retinoblastoma among participants.
The outreach was successful in raising awareness about retinoblastoma and underscoring the importance of early detection and prompt treatment. The participants demonstrated improved understanding of the disease, its symptoms, and the available treatment options. Moreover, the session fostered a positive environment, encouraging hospital staff to collaborate and promote ongoing awareness and education about retinoblastoma. This was especially important given that awareness of the disease was limited before the session.
Despite the success of the outreach, the team encountered other several challenges, including; inadequate funds to facilitate transportation for trainers and refreshments for participants, and insufficient hard copies of training materials to enhance comprehension.
To address these challenges and improve future outreach efforts, the following recommendations were made: Conduct regular follow-up sessions to reinforce knowledge and maintain awareness about retinoblastoma; Collaborate with hospital administration to establish screening protocols and treatment guidelines for retinoblastoma; Expand the scope of the education program to include community outreach and patient education; Secure dedicated transportation resources to reach more locations.
Despite facing certain challenges, the session was well-received, and GAF Eye Health Foundation and KnowTheGlow remain committed to continuing its efforts to promote retinoblastoma awareness and education throughout the community.
