Health facilities for primary eye care in sultanate of oman: primary eye care study 2000.

OBJECTIVE: Endeavor to improve (i) the quality of Primary Eye Care with the aid of an Eye Health Care Programme and (ii) the resourcing Primary Eye Care in Ministry of Health Institutions in 2001.
METHOD: In this descriptive study, staff were randomly selected from 84 health institutions and representing 136 primary health institutions to carry out quality assurance procedures. Ophthalmologists trained in this evaluation were field staff who evaluated the resource status, such as health staff, space for eye care delivery, instruments, materials for health education, referring cases (for continuous medical education of the primary health staff), drugs for eye care, etc., in each health institution. In addition to availability, the standards of eye care delivery were also estimated.
RESULTS: The health institutes of Oman have adequate resources for Primary Eye Care. Additional requirement of ophthalmic loupes and medicaments would further improve Primary Eye Care in Oman.
CONCLUSION: It is recommended that such a review of the health care programme and its resources and quality be periodically conducted as a part of a system of quality assurance in primary health care.