MEACO Subspecialty Societies

MEACO Subspecialty Societies' Development
On the 27^th of March 2009, during the 10^th MEACO congress in Bahrain, the council launched five subspecialty societies. These are the Middle East African Cataract and refractive Surgery Society (MEACRS), Middle East African Glaucoma Society (MEAGS), Middle East African Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus society (MEAPOSS), Middle East African Oculoplastic Society (MEAOPS) and Middle East African Vitreo retinal Society (MEAVRS).

We are proud to announce that from the launch of the subspecialty societies to date we have had a very positive response with many registered founding members across the five subspecialty societies. As expected, the cataract and refractive surgery society (MEACRS) was the most popular, followed by the Vitreo retinal society (MEAVRS).  All members who register from henceforth shall be called Members.

At the launch, there were 5 independent subspecialty sessions where all those interested or practising the subspecialty met and had a chance to discuss how they wanted their society to be structured and how they saw its mission and future activities. There were healthy discussions which gave the MEACO executive board many viewpoints on some essential elements of the society’s e.g. Executive positions, Eligibility to be on the subspecialty society boards etc. From information provided by the founding members during the launch, we noted the following: 

• Membership of the societies is made up of anyone who is interested in the subspecialty whether he is trained, practicing or neither.

• Interestingly, members not formally trained constitute only 6% in the Vitreo retinal society, 13% in the pediatric and oculoplasty societies, 20 % in Corneal and refractive surgery society and 40% in the Glaucoma society

MEACO Executive Board Decisions

1. Eligibility for membership
   
   MEACO Executive Board has decided to respect the wishes of the majority of members and develop the subspecialty societies on an all inclusive principle, i.e. all ophthalmologists will be called members.
   
   

2. Eligibility for board membership

Eligibility to be a board member was another very sensitive matter deliberated during the launch. MEACO has developed the subspecialty societies to attain internationally recognized standards in each subspecialty. In keeping with this vision, it is necessary that we have a board in each subspecialty society made of internationally reputed, dedicated subspecialists who can carry the vision and develop it.

MEACO executive board has thus agreed that only trained subspecialists who practice the subspecialty more than 70% of their professional time shall be eligible for elections to the board of each society. We recognize that some countries, especially in Africa, do not have formal degree courses in subspecialties, however they do train ophthalmologists in various subspecialties with hands on training, shadowing, twinning programs etc. MEACO shall accept all these form of informal training as well.

Secondly, members had a concern on how to verify the quantity of time members may claim to be practicing the subspecialty. We feel that as professionals, we must expect our colleagues to honestly quantify their time as accurately as possible and state what they feel is the correct time. We shall accept the information given by members to be accurate. However, there will be a committee made up of well known subspecialists who will scrutinize this information for those who are nominated for leadership positions in the society.
Having laid this ground work for eligibility for board positions, MEACO executive board shall nominate an interim board for each subspecialty society to oversee the affairs of the societies. These interim boards shall set up criteria and conduct the election of the board of each society.

If you are interested in joining one of these societies and be among the elite in the region, please click here to sign up for the society of your choice.