Order of Australia for Dr Littlewood
Ophthamologist Dr Ross Littlewood has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his dedication to restore eyesight to people in Timor-Leste and his contribution to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
12 Feb 2018
12 February 2018
Dr Littlewood, who performs surgery at St John of God Midland Private Hospital, along with a team of professionals, undertake one or two visits a year to Timor-Leste to perform cataract surgery on local residents, especially in remote and rural areas.
Dr Littlewood said the work is a team effort by some very dedicated and highly experienced individuals who donate their time and equipment as well as undertake fundraising activities to assist Timorese people.
“It is very rewarding to be able to give the gift of sight to people, which only how it helps their quality of life, but also other family members,” said Dr Littlewood.
“In places like Timor-Leste, when a grandmother cannot see, her daughter will stop working and granddaughter may stop her education to assist the grandmother.
“It is fantastic to be able to restore people’s eyesight and see them laughing and enjoying life again.”
Over the past few years Dr Littlewood has played a pivotal role in developing the curriculum for Timor-Leste’s first ophthalmology diploma, so locals can be trained in the profession.
“We are now seeing the first round of students pass their diploma in Timor and become the first groups of locals who will be able to undertake eye surgery and then later train the next generation of Timorese in ophthalmology,” Dr Littlewood said.
Since the early days of his career, Dr Littlewood has undertaken complicated cases in remote and rural communities and developing countries.
He was first approached to undertake eye surgery in Timor-Leste in 2006 by East Timor Eye Program founder Dr Nitin Verma, who has previously been awarded an Order of Australia for his outstanding work in Timor-Leste.
Ophthalmologist Dr Philip House also received an AM with Dr Littlewood for his work in Timor-Leste and eye surgery foundations.
St John of God Health Care has had a long-term commitment with improving the health needs of people in Timor-Leste and developing the knowledge, skills and capability of local clinicians.
In addition, caregivers work with Timorese hospital executives to establish processes that will provide the sustainable delivery of effective and sustainable practices and improve patient experience.
To view more on the East Timor Eye Program see www.etep.org.au
View more on St John of God Health Care’s work in Timor-Leste.