To act as the representative of the optometrists in Botswana in their dealings with the government, Botswana Health Professions Council, Medical aids, and other relevant organizations or parties

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OUR OBJECTIVES

We Love Serving Our Local Community – Consumers, Opticians and Optometrists

Membership is open to Optometrists and Opticians who are registered with the Botswana Health Professions Council.

Only members who are registered and paid-up all dues in full shall have the right to vote and to hold office in the Association.

  • To promote optometry and eye health care through advocacy.
  • To encourage and facilitate optometrists to practice to the highest level of their education in Botswana.
  • To act as the representative of the optometrists in Botswana in their dealings with the government, Botswana Health Professions Council, Medical aids, and other relevant organizations or parties.
  • To provide valuable support and leadership to its members.
  • To assist in the development of the Optometric profession in Botswana.
  • To liaise with Botswana Health Professions Council (B.H.P.C) in carrying out peer review on Optometrists practicing in Botswana.
  • To assist in continuing professional development (C.P.D) of Optometrists in Botswana and accumulate CPD points for individual Optometrists.
  • To seek, obtain and manage financial assistance from other organizations that may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the Association.
  • Engage in clear and effective communication with members, stakeholders, and the public.
  • To do all such other lawful things as may be needed for the promotion of the objectives of the Association.
  • To pay out the funds of the Association all costs, charges, and expenses preliminary to and incidental to the formation, establishment, promotion, registration, and advertising of the Association.
  • An Optometrist or Optician wishing to join the Association shall do so by submitting his/her particulars to the Secretary on a prescribed form.
  • An individual wishing to join the Association should provide a copy of the registration certificate from the Botswana Health Professions Council together with an up to date Blue card to the secretary.
  • A new member shall fill in a prescribed form and be required to pay a membership fee of a sum set at the AGM to the Treasurer of the Association before the last day June every year. The membership fee shall be P750.00 for every financial year from 1st April to 31st March
  • A copy of the constitution shall be furnished to every new member.

Dr. Rejoice Mohamadi

The BOA is deeply greatful to honor the memory of our beloved Dr. Rejoice Mohamadi.
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Our History

Evolution of Optometry In Botswana

My desire to deal with conditions that affect the human eye stared in 1988 when I was doing my Tirelo Sechana (National Service) in Tshane. While there, I used to see eye care personnel coming all the way from Lobatse and Gaborone coming to do outreach at Hukuntsi Primary Hospital and I told myself that one day I will have to be counted as one of eyecare professionals in Botswana.

During our times, career guidance was not as developed as it is today, we had to do some research on our own regarding careers. So, after some research I settled for Optometry. Government had offered me scholarship to do dentistry but I chose to stick to my first choice-Optometry. After completing my part one BSc at University of Botswana, I was admitted at the University of Auckland in New Zealand to pursue Bachelor of Optometry. After completing, I come back home as the first Motswana to graduate as an Optometrist. I have also attained a Degree of Master of Public Health with University of Liverpool in the UK.

On my return home in 1996 I found a group dedicated professionals, most of whom were working in the private sector. Only the government funded mission hospital in Mochudi (Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital, DRM) offered ophthalmic services which included refraction services. It was therefore befitting that in 1997 a group of optometrists, opticians and owners of “optical practice” (as they were called then) gathered at DRM to establish an association called Botswana Optical Association. One of the aims of this association was to advance the interests of both the registered Health Professionals (Optometrists and Opticians) as well as those of the owners of “optical outlets” who were mainly business people who did not have a health professions qualification.

In 2007, Botswana Optical Association collaborated with other Eye Care Health Professions including Ophthalmologists and Ophthalmic Nurses to further advance ophthalmic issues in Botswana. This collaboration resulted in the formation of a body called Botswana Eye Care Providers Society whose some of objectives were:

  • To promote the highest standards in the eye care services in Botswana by all eye care service providers in both the public and private sectors.

  • To act as the representative body of the eye care service providers in Botswana, in their dealings with government or any other relevant organization or party.

  • To assist in the development of a private/public partnership between the private eye care providers and government eye care providers, to enhance access by all people with different eye conditions in Botswana to the treatment they require.

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Mr. Sushil Kumar

Founding Member

BOA Founding Member

Sushil Kumar

First fully qualified Optometrist to arrive in Botswana in early 1990, Sushil Kumar felt the need of creating public awareness on what Optometrist do. As the ranks of Optometrist and related cadres swelled an Optical Association was formed called BOA. This Association was duly registered, constitution was formed and office bearers in terms of the constitution were elected. BOA had various cadres of Eye Care Professionals e.g. Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Ophthalmic Assistants. Sushil Kumar was instrumental in forming the association and chairing for 10 years

Public Education

Raising Awareness

“There is a lack of public awareness of the importance of regular eye tests to detect ocular and systemic conditions which may be asymptomatic. In many cases, timely intervention can prevent irreversible sight loss”.

Novartis Botswana division of Health and Wellness Activity in collaboration with BOA to commemorate World Sight Month of October 2022
Articles News Public Education

Novartis Botswana division of Health and Wellness Activity in collaboration with BOA to commemorate World Sight Month of October 2022

Posted on Articles, News, Public Education

Following are the dates and areas to be covered during the commemoration: Please see below the names of the respective Optoms that will…

Extra Giving Opportunities

Donate to Make a Difference in our Community

BOA works with charitable organizations to deliver free services including: Free Vision Screening, Free Spectacles, Free Treatment of Eye Conditions