VOSH-CT Looking for ODs and Optometry Students
September 02, 2018
VOSH-CT is looking for optometrists, optometry students, opticians and any Spanish speaking volunteers to join their clinic
Read MoreSeptember 02, 2018
VOSH-CT is looking for optometrists, optometry students, opticians and any Spanish speaking volunteers to join their clinic
Read MoreAugust 05, 2018
The VOSH-BC Nicaragua project originally scheduled for November 11th -18th 2018 has been CANCELLED due to ongoing
Read MoreJuly 18, 2018
VOSH-PA is seeking an OD, an OD student and a lay volunteer for its November 4-10, 2018 mission to Cap Haitien,
Read MoreJuly 07, 2018
The first two VOSH Texas clinics of this year were highly successful. We were a little short
Read MoreMay 31, 2018
VOSH-MI is planning a return trip to Nakuru, Kenya on January 11-25, 2019. We are looking for two
Read MoreMay 25, 2018
VOSH BC/ TWECS CANADA has a project to Jiquilillo and Chinandega Nicaragua from November 11-18th 2018. Host: Gerry
Read MoreMay 07, 2018
HELP! We are having a Remote Access Medical (RAM) event in Durant, OK at the college campus,
Read MoreMay 05, 2018
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/health/glasses-developing-world-global-health.html
Read MoreMay 01, 2018
TSUM VALLEY MEDICAL MISSION is recruiting optometrists for its October 2018 health camps in this remote Himalayan
Read MoreApril 22, 2018
Hello all, We need more ODs to help us in conducting an eye camp in October in
Read MoreVOSH/International believes in the freedom to see. Providing the gift of vision and eye health to people worldwide. We facilitate the provision and the sustainability of vision care worldwide for people who can neither afford nor obtain such care. Our goal is to increase our global impact whenever possible by supporting sustainable eye clinics, optometry schools and optometric educators in areas lacking sufficient eye care.
Updated COVID-19 and VOSH Humanitarian Clinics Advice
VOSH/International recently consulted its US and International Chapters about the feasibility and timing to restart our humanitarian clinics. While the vaccination process continues with different levels of success depending on availability and acceptance, it is evident that vaccine inequity and the availability and reliability of data in several countries are issues we need to consider.
Even if already vaccinated and boosted, our chapters are still concerned about the wellbeing of our volunteers and patients. Some chapters, are organizing clinics locally where they are better able to comply with the existing safety requirements and respective state/country regulations.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its variants are being experienced quite differently depending on state, region, country, vaccine availability, vaccine acceptance, and the spread of SARS-COV-2 variants. Most VOSH chapters are not holding clinics or traveling internationally in 2021 or 2022.
If a VOSH Chapter choses to hold a clinic or travel internationally, we highly recommend that the chapter performs due diligence to comply fully with the requirements established by the visited country, ensures all VOSH volunteers are aware of and follow strict safety guidelines and all existing protocols and regulations of the country, and keeps the principle of “do no harm” embedded in all its decision making. As always, the wellbeing and safety for VOSH volunteers and our patients is of utmost importance and central to any decision-making process. We have published our updated clinic guidelines with best practices to be observed in this new context. VOSH chapters in specific countries are using protocols that need to be considered as well. You can download VOSH/International clinic guidelines here.
*VOSH/International is formed by autonomous US and international chapters that are fully and only responsible for their activities, fundraising and decision-making. VOSH/International can only provide recommendations based on our best knowledge and information at the time.
Also please keep checking the following sites with official and most recent updates:
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
US CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/when-to-delay-travel.html
US Government Travel Advise: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to improving vision and eye health throughout the world.
Michael Ciszek, OD, dipl ABO, FVI
President, VOSH/International
December 2021