Director of the Pacific Eye Institute recognised with International Achievement Award

Dr John Szetu, Director of the Pacific Eye Institute, has been honoured with a Regional Achievement Award for his contribution to blindness prevention in the Western Pacific region.

He received the award last week at the 8th Annual General Assembly of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Achievement Award from the IAPB recognises Dr Szetu's significant contribution to eye care in the Pacific region over the past four years, including the development of an eye health training program that has resulted in greater numbers of Pacific doctors and nurses working in eye care.

"Dr Szetu is a Pacific leader, and someone who inspires others through his continued dedication and hard work to bring sight to the people of the Pacific," says Carmel Williams, Executive Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ.

"His passion in ensuring the development of a sustainable, quality Pacific eye health workforce, and his ongoing advocacy with ministries of health for the acknowledgement of eye health as a priority, are invaluable contributions to the prevention of blindness and visual impairment in the Pacific region.

"We are proud to work alongside him," said Ms Williams.

The Pacific Eye Institute, in Suva, Fiji, is The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ's training centre for Pacific eye health workers.

"Dr Szetu also undertakes outreach clinics throughout the Pacific, providing eye care to remote Pacific communities and providing valuable ‘on the ground' experience for trainee Pacific eye doctors and nurses.

To watch Dr Szetu on an outreach trip to his native Solomon Islands recently shown on Television New Zealand's Close Up, click here

To hear Dr Szetu's recent interview on Radio New Zealand's Nine to Noon, click here

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