A report on two year of ophthalmological work in Kenya (author's transl)].

Abstract

After two years' work as lecturers in ophthalmology at the University of Nairobi we report on our experiences in both teaching as well as outpatient and inpatient-care at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Special emphasis is given to the socio-economical background of the public health service in Kenya, to point out the special aspects of day-to-day medical work as well as the different needs of a postgraduate program in ophthalmology in this country. The main purpose of our work, supported by the Federal German Ministry of Economic Cooperation, Munich University Eye Clinic and many other organizations, was to train ophthalmologists in their own country. Finally, medical research programs currently in progress and concerning special aspects of tropical ophthalmology are reported on. These studies are designed to help find a solution of the problem of blindness, which is briefly analysed, and which is much more urgent in Kenya than in Western Europe.