By: Jonathan O. Grigsby, Snr. Contributor
The Umbrella Organization for Eye Healthcare Practitioners in Liberia and the General Ophthalmic Association of Liberia (GOAL) have successfully concluded its 5th Anniversary and 2nd National Convention in the Country with the adoption of six Resolutions, aimed at enhancing the growth and development of the Association.
The GOAL’s Convention was hosted by its Montserrado County’s Chapter at the Shatim Event Hall in Duport Road, Paynesville which ran from Wednesday, March through Saturday, March 18, 2023, that brought together the Association’s Members from across Liberia.
It was held under the Theme: “Facing the Future with Innovation”.
Amongst the seven Resolutions adopted by GOAL’s Membership is a call for the setting up of Specialized Committee which include: Ophthalmic Education and License, Investment, Goal Organizational Development, Organization and Membership development, Advocacy and External relations and Finding an Office Space for the Association to operate smoothly.
The Resolutions also enforced due payment of 50 United States Dollars by every member, conducting of refresher training be done merged with Convention Activities., Eye Health Awareness be done quarterly by GOAL and that next Convention of the General Ophthalmic Association is in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.’
Meanwhile, in his Annual Address to Members of GOAL, the President of the General Ophthalmic Association of Liberia, Surgeon, C. Allison Paygar, Sr., indicated that one of the key focuses of the Organization will be on advocacy and research studies.
Mr. Paygar said, through the Association’s Advocacy and various Research Studies, Eye Healthcare Practitioners in Liberia will definitely be on par with other Eye Healthcare Professionals in the Sub-region, Africa and World at large.
He stated: “Besides it will link Liberia’s Eye Health Care Providers with both Regional and International Eye healthcare institutions in conducting Research Studies on various related Eye Health issues”.
The Association’s President is at the same time calling on Members of the General Ophthalmic Association of Liberia to redouble their efforts to ensure the population with eye’s problems has access to affordable eye health care in Liberia.
Mr. Paygar thanked Members of GOAL for their overwhelming support to his administration that enables the leadership to be successful, despite the many challenges they were confronted with.
But, he was quick to point out that the delay payment of due by Members and the distance of some current Leaders from the Headquarters mainly in Monrovia cause some setback for the smooth operation of GOAL.
During the gathering, several Eye Healthcare Practitioners in Liberia and other parts of the world presented lectures on several Topics, which include, Ophthalmologist, Dr. Liesse Gateka, who spoke on the topic: New Issues with Glaucoma, Dr. Niranjan Pehere – Technology and Innovation, Dr. Reshma Dabideen Parmanand – New Issues with Refractive Errors and Surgeon Robert F. Dolo – Scientific Presentation on Parasafe Usage.
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