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In 2024, our focus in the region was on translating our sectoral strategy 2030 In Sight into national eye health policies and plans. The following are the highlights of our action:
Elevate
IAPB SEA conducted a regional meeting where seven countries in the region participated: Nepal, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand. The purpose of the meeting was to accelerate efforts translating global resolutions and implementation of our strategy 2030 In Sight into national eye health policy and plan, and to leverage collaboration with WHO and IAPB members on this effort. The meeting also renewed efforts towards achieving the WHO Southeast Asia – Regional Action Plan on Integrated People Centered Eye Care targets.
To elevate our efforts, IAPB SEA also conducted a symposium during the 4th Annual International Ophthalmology Conclave conducted by All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and the 39th Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress in Indonesia.
With our persistent advocacy efforts, Nepal has included eye health in Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) at the UN high level meeting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in July this year.
Further, Nepal and Malaysia officially conducted side meetings on Refractive error during the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024.
Integrate
In India, baseline estimates on Effective coverage of cataract surgery (eCSC) was established enabling it to set the target for 2030. Age-sex standardized and weighed eCSC in India was 36.7% (95% CI: 33.6, 39.9), and cataract surgical coverage (CSC) was 57.3% (95% CI: 53.3, 61.2), a relative quality gap in cataract surgery being 36.0%.
Bhutan completed the 5th National Health Survey (NHS). This comprehensive survey established the national baseline data on retina screening coverage for people with diabetes. The survey result shows that 51.4% of the individuals received an eye examination after being diagnosed with raised blood sugar. This will serve as the baseline for the regional target to ensure that at least 80% of people with diabetes are screened regularly for retinopathy by 2030.
In a historic achievement, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that India has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the third country in the South-East Asia Region—after Nepal and Myanmar—to achieve this milestone. The declaration was made during the 77th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia, held from October 7-9, 2024, in New Delhi, India.
Indonesia has formulated a 2025-2030 Roadmap for Vision Health efforts, designed to align with national health policies and strategies while addressing the country’s unique needs.
Prior to this development, the roadmap developmental team conducted the eye care situational analysis using the WHO Eye care situational analysis tool (ECSAT). This was a collaborative initiative of the Government of Indonesia, international organizations, national organizations like PERDAMI, and universities and supported by the Fred Hollows Foundation. The 2025-2030 Indonesia Roadmap for Vision Health Efforts was officially launched during the 2024 World Sight Day celebrations in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
Activate
South East Asia joined the world to mark World Sight Day this year on 10th October 2024. Countries and member organizations in the region conducted free screenings, outreach surgical camps, distribution of eyeglasses, and various eye health awareness activities, aimed primarily at children. Mini-marathons, special ‘Walkathon’, a human chain and awareness rallies and eye care awareness exhibitions aimed at promoting eye care and raising public awareness were also conducted. In India, the second edition of the Vision Centre Manual was launched by VISION 2020 India on this occasion.
The Nepal Health Minister gave a message on national television to mark the day and create awareness on eye health.
ILO Staff Screening: in the process of creating awareness on importance of eye health in the workplace all 54 staff and their family members of ILO Kathmandu office got comprehensive eye examinations.
All the preparations for IAPBs 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE global event which is scheduled to held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 29 April to 1st May 2025 are underway.
