Hans Bjorn Bakketeig – Doctor Honoris Causa of ”Nicolae Testemitanu” University

The Senate of Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy awarded the honorary title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Mr. Hans Bjorn Bakketeig, an outstanding specialist in Optometry, recognized both in Norway and throughout the world. The ceremony took place on October 20, 2022 and was part of the series of events dedicated to the University Days.

In the Laudatio, Rector Emil Ceban presented Mr. Bjorn Bakketeig's successful professional career, highlighting his substantial contribution to the initiation of the Collaboration Program between Nicolae Testemitanu University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the University of South-Eastern Norway, supported by the Government of the Kingdom of Norway through the Norwegian Center for International Cooperation in Education. This allowed the launch of the Optometry undergraduate study program (in 2017) and the Clinical Optometry master's program (in the current year), endowing the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry with modern equipment for diagnosis and treatment, organizing the exchange of experience for teaching staff and the practical internships of optometrist students in Norway, and the development of the ophthalmology service in our country.

The continuous training of specialists in the field was a priority in his activity in the Republic of Moldova. In collaboration with LOW VISION Center, the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry of Nicolae Testemitanu University, Brien Holden Vision Institute from Australia, Optometry Giving Sight Organization from Norway, the eminent optometrist conducted three optometry courses for resident doctors and for ophthalmologists, 10 thematic seminars and training courses on functional vision assessment methods and strategies for improving visual performance with optical devices for ophthalmologists from all over the country.

”Hans Bjorn Bakketeig has considerably contributed to the development of the university education system. With his support, at our university, training programs were developed for students, resident doctors, trainee doctors as regards the new methods of diagnosis and surgical treatment, including cataract extraction by phacoemulsification, laser panphotocoagulation in diabetic retinopathies, secondary laser dissection of cataracts, trabeculoplasty in glaucoma, conservative treatment methods, rehabilitation of people with poor vision, etc. As a result, thousands of patients with senile and complicated cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy have benefited from modern diagnostic and treatment services. We are deeply grateful to him for his openness and the benefits brought to the University and the country in general”, stated Rector Emil Ceban.

Professor Valeriu Cusnir, head of the Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, recalled how the first meeting with the Norwegian specialist took place and the expert's conclusions after consulting some visually impaired children from a specialized school: ”Children with correctable refractive errors who do not benefit from sufficient specialized medical assistance, the lack of ophthalmological equipment and rehabilitation services for people with visual impairments, the poor quality of ophthalmological medical service providers, etc.”. Another shortcoming was the lack of a national policy to prevent avoidable blindness, but also outdated management processes in ophthalmology. After identifying the weak points, following several discussions and visits at governmental and institutional level, it was proposed to develop the infrastructure by donating ophthalmological medical equipment, training ophthalmological specialists throughout the country, and improving ophthalmological medical services at the national level. "As a result of the diligent work of ophthalmologist Hans Bjorn Bakketeig, who appealed to the Government of Norway many times, 45 hospitals and polyclinics were equipped with high-performance ophthalmological equipment, specialized furniture and many other aids that serve to ensure quality assistance provided to the population", stressed professor Cusnir. The head of the department expressed his gratitude to the Norwegian expert for the time given to the Republic of Moldova, including for equipping the didactic subdivision he leads with high-performance ophthalmological equipment.

Professor Eugeniu Bendelic, head of the Department of Ophthalmology, spoke in support of the Senate's decision regarding the awarding of the honorary title: ”There is no ophthalmologist or optometrist in the Republic of Moldova who does not know who Hans Bjorn is. Having been here for two decades, he managed to travel through the country, to discover the problems existing in the system, as well as our beautiful traditions. Our mission in the future is to capitalize on the high-performance equipment, but also on the training that we all benefited from”.

”Besides the fact that he succeeded in revolutionizing the ophthalmology system in the Republic of Moldova, Hans Bjorn approached each patient individually, giving self-confidence to visually impaired people, especially young people, offering them the chance to integrate in society, and prescribing them optical correction devices, visual aids and treatment options. An eloquent example is a child with poor vision, whose chances to achieve something were very small, but after he was given special glasses, the boy engaged in high performance swimming”, pointed out Tatiana Ghidirimschi, director of LOW VISION Medical-Social Rehabilitation Center for Visually Impaired People. According to her, Hans Bjorn is an accomplished professional, a receptive colleague, open and discreet at the same time, a dedicated manager and leader, a good family man and an example of altruism.

A message of gratitude was also expressed by Galina Clemov, executive director of the Alliance of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities from the Republic of Moldova (a platform representing 55 organizations in the field of promoting the rights of persons with disabilities): ”Hans Bjorn's contribution to persons with disabilities meant changing the quality of life, benefiting from full diagnostic support, training and offering advanced assistive technologies, a fact that allowed these people to integrate into society. Their families became happier and regained confidence in their future”. 

Hans Bjorn Bakketeig thanked Nicolae Testemitanu University Senate for the granted title and offered trust: "It is a great pleasure for me to collaborate with Moldovan optometrists and ophthalmologists, and to communicate with patients. Twenty years ago, the Republic of Moldova became my second home. On my first visit, I had no idea that I would spend part of my life in Moldova and devote myself to the people here. Then I realized that there is a great need for medical equipment, qualified personnel, new treatments, etc., that is why I made radical decisions and set some goals. Of course, I wouldn't have achieved all of the above on my own, if it weren't for my colleagues from Norway, Australia, and you, the ones present here." 

The Norwegian optometrist stressed that Nicolae Testemitanu University provides studies at the European level. It is essential to further stimulate and motivate young people to choose the Optometry study program. ”The development of this specialty will lead to the improvement of the provided ophthalmological assistance and reduce the vision problems of the population. I and the organization I represent, I Care – Norway, want to continue to be a part of sight protection in the Republic of Moldova and to maintain this beautiful cooperation”, said Hans Bjorn. 

Hans Bjorn Bakketeig was born on August 17, 1956 in Norway. He had a happy childhood, which marked and oriented him to dedicate his entire life to people, especially the helpless ones. This noble dream came true in 1982, after the successful graduation from Kongsberg University, Optometry specialty.

He started his career in the last year of studies, as an optometrist in the field of low vision rehabilitation. Over the years, he has accumulated vast knowledge and professional skills, becoming a valuable specialist, highly appreciated in the country and in the entire world. 

”Destiny is not related to luck, it is rather related to choocing”... Invited to the Republic of Moldova by ”Hjelp Moldova” organization in 2001 to consult children with poor vision and prescribe them special optical correction and adaptation technologies, the expert discovered major deficiencies in eye care for patients. Thus, a new stage in his professional career begins. During 10 years (2007-2017), he held the position of Hjelp Moldova president. 

In 2009, the optometrist supported the founding of ”LOW VISION” Medical-Social Rehabilitation Center for Visually Impaired People in the capital that has offered more than 11,000 consultations until 2022, of which 1/3 were children. With the establishment of this center, patients with low vision had the opportunity to maintain their independence by using optical, non-optical or electronic visual devices, which is a premiere for our country. Thus, the quality of life of many visually impaired persons has improved considerably: they were able to study, find a job and participate in social activities, which is extremely important and has a great impact on their integration into society. 

Hans Bjorn Bakketeig's merits as an optometrist are recognized worldwide. In 2010 he obtained the award of the Norwegian Association of Optometry, in 2012 he was designated International Optometrist of the Year by the World Council of Optometry in Chicago, USA, and was granted the honorable Rotary Paul Harris Fellow award. In 2017, the title Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Knight 1st Class, was bestowed on him for his work dedicated to visually impaired people in Moldova, and he received an award from the United Nations Organization for his work in the human rights defense area. In 2013 and 2016, the optometrist was awarded diplomas by the Government of the Republic of Moldova.

The expert is currently in Norway, together with his colleagues, he is establishing a new association –”Eye Care Norway”.