Recent VOSH News

VOSH-NORTHWEST recognized as CHAPTER OF THE MONTH for APRIL 2018

April 12, 2018

The amazing activity of VOSH chapters throughout the world is chronicled further by VOSH-Northwest. Superlative in its

BREAKING NEWS : HAITI OPTOMETRY SCHOOL OPENING

April 12, 2018

Today in Port Au Prince, Haiti HAITI OPTOMETRY SCHOOL OPENING Years in the planning with VOSH/International as

Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer elected President of VOSH-Minnesota

April 05, 2018

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH)-Minnesota has elected Dr. Stacy Hinkemeyer, OD, FAAO, Dipl ABO, ABCMO as

Seva Canada believes that women and girls are as deserving of sight as men and boys and hopes that Canadians join their movement for equity in the treatment of blindness.

March 11, 2018

https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/08/1418316/0/en/Blindness-is-a-Women-s-Issue.html See also August 2017 paper which notes that there were 253 million people with visual impairment—and a

VOSH-MINNESOTA named V/I March 2018 Chapter of the Month

March 10, 2018

VOSH-MINNESOTA COMPLETES 100TH MISSION VOSH-Minnesota hit the century mark in missions as reported by long time chapter

VOSH-INDIA is named January 2018 VOSH CHAPTER OF THE MONTH

March 10, 2018

The amazing VOSH-India, led by the dynamic and marvelous dedication of Chapter President Yogita Rajgandhi, is the

Past VOSH/International President Dr. Michel Listenberger recognized for service locally and internationally

March 07, 2018

https://www.leaderpub.com/2018/02/12/niles-optometrist-recognized-for-service-locally-internationally/

VOSH-Northwest is going to Uganda

February 20, 2018

VOSH-Northwest is planning a mission trip to Kapchorwa, Uganda Sept 11-27, 2018 Approx trip cost $ 4050,

VOSH- CO is looking for volunteers for mission to Taksindu, Nepal November 4-13, 2018.

February 13, 2018

VOSH- CO is looking for volunteers for a mission trip to Taksindu, Nepal November 4-13, 2018. They

VOSH-CA is looking for ODs and SVOSH students for Feb. mission to Baja Mexico ( all expenses paid!)

February 13, 2018

VOSH-CA is looking for ODs and SVOSH students: Mission to Santa Rosalia, Baja California, Mexico (8 hour drive

VOSH/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.

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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