10GA has its first Programme Partner: Orbis

IAPB’s 10^th General Assembly, the premier global event discussing public health issues related to blindness and visual impairment, has its first Programme Partner – Orbis.

As Programme Partner, Orbis will be presenting a course on ‘Paediatric Eye Health’ as part of the 10GA Scientific Programme. With an estimated 1.4 million blind children–45% from avoidable causes– the pattern of causes of childhood blindness and visual impairment vary widely between and even within countries. Factors like the need for surgical intervention (for cataract), access to services, importance of wider health and social practices all have a key role to play in tackling paediatric eye health.

Orbis, dedicated to preserving and restoring sight, has been keenly interested in tackling the causes of childhood blindness around the world. Since its inception in 1982, Orbis has worked with institutions in the developing world to improve capacity and train new specialists in tackling the myriad causes of blindness, with a particular focus on children.

For the session on paediatric eye health, Orbis and IAPB will work together to bring specialist speakers and presenting the latest research on the topic to the participants.

“With nearly 300,000 children in need of eye care services in Africa, innovative solutions are critical to bring high-quality services to resource-poor settings” says Lene Øverland, Orbis Africa CEO. “Orbis has the expertise—honed in Africa and other developing countries—to tackle childhood blindness, in partnership with our partners and supporters in the eye care sector and beyond. Much of our work is the result of the trusted relationships we have built with national governments, health organisations, educational institutions, and the child health and child rights sectors. Together, we can work towards building lasting solutions”.

10GA’s theme is “Stronger Together”. In 2016, IAPB will be showcasing one of the eye health sector’s remarkable success stories – our longstanding cross-sectoral partnerships. “We are delighted to invite Orbis as our first Programme Partner”, said Joanna Conlon, Director of Development, IAPB. “Orbis showcases all that is good and best within the eye care sector—great quality of service and a keen interest in sharing good practices.”