14 March 2018
The Senator Hon Penny Wong announced that if elected, a Labor Government will invest $32 million in a Pacific Avoidable Blindness and Vision Loss Fund.
“At a time when Australia’s focus is returning to the Pacific, this is a great initiative to help us realise our responsibilities in the region.”
“Between 2011 and 2016, the total contribution of foreign aid from Australia has been steadily falling, whilst other foreign donors are recognising the importance of this region.”
Misha Coleman, Executive Director of the Global Health Alliance, a peak body for 40 global health organisations
Organisations such as The Fred Hollows Foundation, Vision 2020 Australia and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists will work collaboratively to reduce cataract backlog and provide treatment to those with moderate to severe visual impairments in the Pacific.
“There is a blindness crisis in the Pacific. We know about 40,000 people are needlessly blind among our nearest neighbours. Four out of five of them don’t need to be.” The Hon. John Brumby AO, Chair of Fred Hollows Foundation
Read the full press release here.
The Vision 2020 Australia Global Consortium – which represents 45 member organisations – restored the sight of over 35,000 people who received cataract surgeries delivered through this initiative. To learn more about the Avoidable Blindness Initiative, click here.
“No matter who wins the upcoming election, we are calling on the next Australian Government to commit to a new Pacific Blindness and Vision Loss Fund to address eye-health across the region.” Vision2020 Australia CEO Judith Abbott
Read the full press release here.
