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Eye health systems are managed locally

Across the Pacific we support local partners to build more effective and independent eye health systems

Pacific communities should have control over their eye health.

By working together with policy makers, community members and national governments, The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is supporting the transformation of eye health in the Pacific.

Why eye health systems matter

9 out of 10 people who are blind don’t need to be – their condition is preventable or treatable. Yet, in many Pacific countries, accessing treatment can take months, if it can be accessed at all. For marginalised communities such as women and people with disabilities, the burden of avoidable blindness is even higher.

Due to the devastating impact of avoidable blindness, eye health is considered a critical human rights and development issue. Working with Pacific partners to improve access to treatments for avoidable blindness is fundamental to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

PACEyes2023
Attendees discuss strategy at the 2023 PacEYES conference

Supporting strategic decisions

We believe in working side by side with Pacific communities to amplify their voices at national levels. To help influence policy makers to prioritise eye health, we support with the knowledge, evidence and research needed to drive powerful advocacy and change.  

Currently we are supporting the State of Eye Health Research Programme, a five-year collaboration between Pacific Island governments, the New Zealand Government, the University of Auckland, Ian Anderson Economics, and The Foundation. This programme aims to provide the evidence that Pacific governments need to create affordable, effective, equitable, and sustainable eye health policies and plans.

Driving sustainable change

By working closely with our Pacific partners, we are helping them to pave the way for independently managed eye health and to drive change at every level of decision making.

Only with full support at national levels can we ensure the sustainable provision of expert eye care for everyone. We are committed to this vision, because good eye care is the right of everybody – not just those who can afford it.

As a trusted partner in eye care, The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ is uniquely positioned to support Pacific communities in their drive for more responsive and effective eye health systems.

Sustainable, effective and locally managed eye health systems will provide lasting, meaningful benefits to communities in the Pacific. By bringing expertise, knowledge and care to people across the Pacific we can help support the future that Fred wanted – an end to avoidable blindness. 

What we achieved in 2023

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primary level clinicians (non-eye care clinicians) were trained in primary eye care

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eye health staff in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu received workforce support visits

0

eye care professionals participated in workshops and trainings for continuing professional development

0 World Sight Day

community awareness campaigns, comprehensive eye screening events, and distributing health education resources

0 RAAB

(Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness) survey completed in Vanuatu

What we achieved in 2023

0

primary level clinicians (non-eye care clinicians) were trained in primary eye care

0

eye health staff in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu received workforce support visits

0

eye care professionals participated in workshops and trainings for continuing professional development

0 World Sight Day

community awareness campaigns, comprehensive eye screening events, and distributing health education resources

0 RAAB

(Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness) survey completed in Vanuatu

Our partners