Expanding Access to Universal Eye Care Across Five Provinces in Cambodia

The “Expanding Access to Universal Eye Care Across Five Provinces in Cambodia” project began in July 2016 and focuses on Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Kampot, Pursat and Siem Reap provinces. The project also works closely with the National Program for Eye Health within the Ministry of Health.

The goal of the project is to prevent and treat unnecessary blindness in five underserved provinces in Cambodia as demonstrated by increasing the average cataract surgical rate in five provinces from 1,747 to 2,500.

Seva Cambodia and its partners will achieve this by expanding community eye health outreach and awareness; increasing eye care services provided by partner clinics; conducting eye camps in rural areas; improving local capacity to screen and provide eye care.

All of the activities will work to reduce gender inequities in accessing eye care across the five provinces.

Seva Foundation, founded in 1978, partners worldwide to create self-sustaining programs that preserve and restore sight. Seva has worked in Cambodia since 1999 in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Siem Reap.

The program provides a range of support including training ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses, and primary eye care workers; supplying necessary eye equipment and medical supplies; and subsidizing eye care services for patients who cannot afford to pay for eye care. In 2014, Seva expanded its program to include Kampot and Pursat provinces.

Vann Ratana, Program Director and Roshan Bista, Program Coordinator; Seva Cambodia