SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF EYE CARE SERVICES IN SOUTH SULAWESI

Abstract

Introduction & Objectives
Global initiative, also known as “VISION 2020: the Right to Sight”, suggested that determining the
national target of human resources in eye health substantially reduces avoidable blindness and
visual impairment. Shortage of human resources is currently recognized as one of the main
problems in achieving progress in eye health services to attain the global initiative. The purpose of
this study is to analyze the situation of eye services in South Sulawesi.

Methods
A descriptive study with a qualitative and quantitative approach was performed through a
questionnaire to ophthalmologists in South Sulawesi Districts and also secondary data from
ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses, the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association committee,
provincial and district health office staffs Hospital in 2022.

Results
The total population of South Sulawesi Province in 2022 was 9.07 million people. Human resource
data showed 116 ophthalmologists (ratio 1:250,000 population), 108 trained ophthalmic nurses
(ratio of 10 nurses per 1 million population), 1536 trained instructors, 10.918 posyandu cadres, 5
trained eye cadres, and 71 refractionists/optometrists (ratio is 20 persons per 1 million people).
There were 7 of 24 regencies/cities that have complete mandatory diagnostic examination
equipment.

Conclusion
The ophthalmologist ratio in South Sulawesi is normal, however, their distribution is uneven,
necessitating a rise in the number of nurses and optometrists with a balanced distribution.