East Timor Eye Program

ETEP founder Dr Nitin Verma awarded the Order of Timor-Leste for his work on the East Timor Eye Program

On the 19th of May 2010, Dr Nitin Verma, founder of the East Timor Eye Program was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste, an honour which recognises exceptional service and contributions to the country of “Timor Leste, the Timorese or Mankind’. Dr Verma was presented with the award from the President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr Ramos Horta in the capital of Dili, Timor Leste. The award comes in recognition of the tremendous work achieved by Dr Verma and the ETEP in the eye health sector in Timor Leste.

The ETEP, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary. So far, the program has conducted more than 33,750 patient consultations, performed more than 3,500 surgical procedures and dispensed over 28,000 spectacles. Dr Verma said there were now five ophthalmologists working in East Timor from a variety of countries including China, Cuba, Australia and India. The most important one for the program long term, is Dr Marcellino, the first and only East Timorese Ophthalmologist who was trained as part of the East Timor Eye Program.

Doctor performs corneal transplants in East Timor - Azra Haqqie, Times Union

ALBANY -- A local ophthalmologist accompanied a team of physicians and performed the first-ever corneal transplants on residents of the southeast Asia island nation of East Timor.

Dr. Michael Belin of Rensselaer is a College professor and medical director of the Lions Eye Bank at Albany who played a key cooperative role in a medical trip to Timor. Belin is also a fellow of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology.

"We were part of a five-man team that went to East Timor June 29 through July 1, (including) two retina and two cornea sub-specialists."

Belin flew from Albany to the West Coast and on to Darwin, Australia, where he met up with Zloty, for the final leg to East Timor. All the surgical instruments were transported from America and so were the three donor corneas, which were carried in in a styrofoam container with ice that had to be changed often. Mercifully, Belin said, there were no problems with customs along the way.

Corneal blindness is common in underdeveloped countries, said Belin, who is professor of ophthalmology and director of cornea and refractive surgery at the Albany Medical College.

"Peter and I did the first transplants on the island," he said, noting that while medical care is very basic in East Timor, "They have reasonable hospitals."

"We did surgery without a nurse or technicians and only used local anesthesia. The patients handled it amazingly well. They were very cooperative. We had brought only three corneas. We did two on the first day, and one on the second day. We didn't bring more corneas because we didn't know if we would be able to get them through customs."

Belin said he is planning to return in November for follow-up care and more transplants.

Support the ETEP program:

The ETEP welcomes donations to assist in providing sight restoring operations for the people of Timor Leste.

Your donation will be used to purchase the medical supplies and equipment needed to deliver cataract surgery, perform eye examinations and train local doctors and nurses.

Every dollar makes a difference. Click here to make a donation. Upon receiving your donation, we will send you a tax invoice.

Purchase your copy of 20 Minute Miracles:

"Twenty Minute Miracles" is a stunning photo book compiled by Ellen Whinnett, a Walkely award winning journalist.

The book depicts the work of the ETEP in Timor Leste over 2000 - 2008 through beautiful colour photographs, words of our many volunteers and reporters, to tell the story of over the previous eight years’ work.

Each year eye teams travel to East Timor to distribute spectacles, perform consultations and conduct cataract removal and other surgeries. Six specialist visits are made each year and between 600 and 800 patients are treated on each visit. Up to 100 of these patients receive sight-restoring surgery – the so-called twenty minute miracles.

The book is non-political and will be used to further raise awareness of our volunteer activities. All proceeds from this book are donated to the Program.

To purchase a copy click here

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OLDER NEWS:

ABC TV Article: 7.30 Report
"Tasmanian doctors give sight to East Timorese" Click here to access transcript.

- November 2007

Gold Coast eye surgeon Dr John Kearney awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honour List for services to the community including his work on the East Timor Eye Program.
» Order of Australia

- June 2006





	LATEST NEWS 19 May 2010 ETEP founder Dr Nitin Verma awarded the Order of Timor-Leste for his work on the East Timor Eye Program On the 19th of May 2010, Dr Nitin Verma, founder of the East Timor Eye Program was awarded the Order of Timor-Leste, an honour which recognises exceptional service and contributions to the country of “Timor Leste, the Timorese or Mankind’. Dr Verma was presented with the award from the President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr Ramos Horta in the capital of Dili, Timor Leste. The award comes in recognition of the tremendous work achieved by Dr Verma and the ETEP in the eye health sector in Timor Leste. The ETEP, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary. So far, the program has conducted more than 33,750 patient consultations, performed more than 3,500 surgical procedures and dispensed over 28,000 spectacles. Dr Verma said there were now five ophthalmologists working in East Timor from a variety of countries including China, Cuba, Australia and India. The most important one for the program long term, is Dr Marcellino, the first and only East Timorese Ophthalmologist who was trained as part of the East Timor Eye Program. 21 July 2009 Doctor performs corneal transplants in East Timor - Azra Haqqie, Times Union The full article can be accessed on the Times Union website ALBANY -- A local ophthalmologist accompanied a team of physicians and performed the first-ever corneal transplants on residents of the southeast Asia island nation of East Timor. Dr. Michael Belin of Rensselaer is a College professor and medical director of the Lions Eye Bank at Albany who played a key cooperative role in a medical trip to Timor. Belin is also a fellow of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology. "We were part of a five-man team that went to East Timor June 29 through July 1, (including) two retina and two cornea sub-specialists." Belin flew from Albany to the West Coast and on to Darwin, Australia, where he met up with Zloty, for the final leg to East Timor. All the surgical instruments were transported from America and so were the three donor corneas, which were carried in in a styrofoam container with ice that had to be changed often. Mercifully, Belin said, there were no problems with customs along the way. Corneal blindness is common in underdeveloped countries, said Belin, who is professor of ophthalmology and director of cornea and refractive surgery at the Albany Medical College. "Peter and I did the first transplants on the island," he said, noting that while medical care is very basic in East Timor, "They have reasonable hospitals." "We did surgery without a nurse or technicians and only used local anesthesia. The patients handled it amazingly well. They were very cooperative. We had brought only three corneas. We did two on the first day, and one on the second day. We didn't bring more corneas because we didn't know if we would be able to get them through customs." Belin said he is planning to return in November for follow-up care and more transplants. Support the ETEP program: The ETEP welcomes donations to assist in providing sight restoring operations for the people of Timor Leste. Your donation will be used to purchase the medical supplies and equipment needed to deliver cataract surgery, perform eye examinations and train local doctors and nurses. Every dollar makes a difference. Click here to make a donation. Upon receiving your donation, we will send you a tax invoice. Purchase your copy of 20 Minute Miracles: "Twenty Minute Miracles" is a stunning photo book compiled by Ellen Whinnett, a Walkely award winning journalist. The book depicts the work of the ETEP in Timor Leste over 2000 - 2008 through beautiful colour photographs, words of our many volunteers and reporters, to tell the story of over the previous eight years’ work. Each year eye teams travel to East Timor to distribute spectacles, perform consultations and conduct cataract removal and other surgeries. Six specialist visits are made each year and between 600 and 800 patients are treated on each visit. Up to 100 of these patients receive sight-restoring surgery – the so-called twenty minute miracles. The book is non-political and will be used to further raise awareness of our volunteer activities. All proceeds from this book are donated to the Program. To purchase a copy click here ______________________________________________________________________________________________ OLDER NEWS: ABC TV Article: 7.30 Report "Tasmanian doctors give sight to East Timorese" Click here to access transcript. - November 2007 ETEP embarks on major project in East Timor supported by President Ramos-Horta: Establishment of Eye Centres across Timor Leste. - Sept 2007 ETEP founder Dr Nitin Verma appointed Consulate of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Jurisdiction throughout Tasmania, Australia. - August 2006 Gold Coast eye surgeon Dr John Kearney awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honour List for services to the community including his work on the East Timor Eye Program. » Order of Australia - June 2006 ABC News Article: "East Timor president praises eye program volunteers." Click here to access article - July 2005 Tasmanian Premier announces AUD $200,000 funding package for ETEP to build new Eye Clinic in Dili. - September 2005 Timor Chinese Association "Fundraising Extravaganza" raises over $37,500 for ETEP - November 2005 ABC News Article: "Tasmanian doctors give sight to the East Timorese" Click here to access transcript. - February 2004

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