Across the world, there is a wide disparity in the distribution and availability of human resources to address eye care needs at different levels of service delivery. In some countries and within some regions, there are fewer ophthalmologists per population unit. In other areas, there is a virtual absence of other cadres of eye care workers—optometrists and opticians, nurses and nursing aides and technicians. Even in countries where the numbers are adequate, they are restricted mainly to urban centers, with practically no expertise or service available in rural areas. Therefore, in this prospective, the POB Trust has recognized a need for human resource development not only to ensure appropriate eye care of the most complicated cases but also to ensure effective eye care delivery to the remotest rural areas.

So as to fill the large gap between the demand and availability of eye care workers with the relevant skills and knowledge, complemented by an attitude of compassion and caring, the POB Trust has conducted more than 15 training programs in 4 countries around the world. Over the years, more than 300 eye care professionals have been trained. A larger number of training programs have been organized to enhance the skills of already qualified professionals.

The POB Trust, thus, provides a unique training ground for all cadres of eye care workers, from ophthalmologists to optometrists to other paramedical and administrative cadres in the eye care service delivery chain. The POB trust has provided eye care training to ophthalmologists from Palestine Sudan, Jordan Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Ethics address conduct and relate to what behavior is appropriate or inappropriate, as reasonably determined by entity setting the ethical standards. An issue of ethics in ophthalmology is resolved by determination that the best interests of patients are served. POB Trust educates through its ethical training workshops the eye specialist to provide ophthalmological services with compassion, respect for human dignity, honesty and integrity. Similarly, an ophthalmologist must maintain competence. Competence involves technical ability and ethical concerns of the patients. These are some of main issues of the ethical training organized by POB Trusts for ophthalmologists.