BBR Facilitates Equipment Donation to Rural Hospital in Tanzania

In February, BBR Optometry had the pleasure of hosting Graham Trevor, Sales and Business Development Director of Keeler (a well-known ophthalmic equipment supplier) to donate a new Goldman tonometer to the St Augustine’s Hospital in Muheza, northern Tanzania. This donation was gratefully received by Mr Steve Scotcher, a recently retired eye surgeon from Hereford, who visited Muheza in 2023.

A link between St Augustine's and Hereford hospital has existed for almost forty years. During that time, dozens of Tanzanian health workers from all disciplines have made educational visits to Hereford hospital. Many visitors from Hereford have also travelled to Muheza, to learn about the delivery of healthcare in rural Tanzania.

In 2024, Emmanuel Kibula, a clinical medical officer who runs the eye clinic in Muheza, spent two weeks as an observer at the Victoria Eye Unit in Hereford. During his time in Hereford, which was coordinated by Mr Scotcher, Dr Kibula learned many important new ophthalmic skills including Goldman tonometry (eye pressure measurement).

Following this visit, Keeler UK generously donated a Goldman tonometer to Muheza hospital. Mr Scotcher said "I am most grateful to Graham Trevor from Keeler, and also to Nick Rumney at BBR Optometry, for their support. The tonometer will be make an enormous difference to the care that Dr Kibula can offer to his patients".

Senior Optometrist at BBR, Nick Rumney, said “I have long thought ‘think globally - act locally’, and it’s a pleasure to bring the donating manufacturer together with the direct clinical need of a remote African hospital. I am very grateful to the team at Keeler for having the vision to support this worthwhile cause.

The tonometer was recently taken back to Muheza hospital by Magdalena Chikoma, a nurse anaesthetist who visited Hereford in February.

For further information about the Hereford-Muheza Link, please contact Steve Scotcher (stevescotcher@gmail.com).