Medical Mission in mongolia

 ARKHANGAI: The eye care program treated over 250 ophthalmology patients and performed over 160 cataract and other eye surgeries at Testergin Hospital. Lions International supplied glasses for refractions (will be distributed by the local ophthalmologists). The residents and staff of the First Hospital played a major role, Drs. Zuluu and Tumurbaatar also of the First Hospital. Drs. Francis Law and Giligson performed cataract surgery and Canadian nurses Christine Tuano, Tina Cheng and Toh Woon Tan made this all possible. We look forwards to a long-term commitment to the people of Arkhanghai province.

OPHTHALMOLOGY RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAM: On the last visit in October 2017 Dr. Chimgee, president of the Mongolian Ophthalmology society outlined the need to develop a structure for the ophthalmology residency training programs in ophthalmology. Dr. Giligson (director of the Ophthalmology residency training program at the University of British Columbia for the last 7 years) and myself had the opportunity to meet with the department heads of the first and third hospitals, the leads of the Mongolian Ophthalmology Society and the Ministry of Health in order to understand the structure and dynamics of ophthalmology residency training. Dr. Giligson will be writing up a report regarding his observations and recommendations.

CANADIAN AMBASSADOR: Ambassador Sproule hosted a lunch meeting with the members of the ophthalmology community and Vice Minister of health Byambaswen. During this meeting we had an opportunity to outline our program and we reviewed the challenges we face with meeting the customs requirements. The ministry of health will assist with customs clearance as long as they know the items to be donated before they arrive in Mongolia. We also discussed with Ambassador Sproule and the minister regarding the possibility of introducing legislation that would enable countries such as Canada, Australia and the USA to import donated medical equipment and supplies without encountering duties.