Focus on Vision: Advancing Eye Health in Nepal and Indonesia

IAPB has identified Nepal and Indonesia in the SEA region as focus countries on its sectoral strategy 2030 In Sight implementation in 2024. It does not mean that we are not working in other countries this year, but more effort will be given to these countries in 2024. As usual, our role is to advocate, convene, and facilitate the action towards its implementation of the National Eye Health Plan and policies. 

Nepal: 

• Nepal has completed RAAB survey in 2022 which provides evidence on magnitude of blindness and visual impairment and its causes, baseline data on eCSC to set the target for 2030. 
• Nepal has also recently completed a nationwide eye care service assessment using the WHO ECSAT II tool. The report is under review in the technical committee of the Ministry of Health and is expected to disseminate soon. 
• Nepal endorsed a National Eye Health strategy last year in which integration of eye health into the mainstream health system is one of the priorities and primary eye care listed under essential health care. Ba. Based on this national eye health strategy, WHO regional Action Plan on Integrated People- Centered Eye Care and the IAPB sectoral strategy 2030 In Sight generated from RAAB survey and ECSAT finding new strategic action plan formulation is starting soon. 
• Nepal has included eCSC target for 2030 with current base line of 35.4% (in VA 6/12 category) to 70% by 2030 in its health sector strategic Plan 2023 – 2030. In order to accelerate the quality and quantity of eye treatment and cataract surgery nine type of eye  treatment including cataract surgery has been included under national health insurance system.  
• A process has been initiated also to integrate eye health data into government IHMS DHSI II.  

 Indonesia:  

During a recent SEA regional meeting in Bali, Indonesia a side meeting was organized to initiate the process of 2030 Insight implementation as a focus country in Indonesia. The meeting was attended by representatives of IAPB: Mr Peter Holland; Dr Rohit Khanna; Jude Stern, Mr Yuddha Sapkota; Representative of MoH Indonesia Dr Eva Susanti and Dr Resty Dwi Hasriani; representatives from Indonesia Ophthalmological Society PERDAMI: Prof dr. Budu Mannyu , Prof. Dr. dr. Nila F. Moeloek; Dr. Ahmad Ashraf Amalius, Dr Yeni Lestary, Dr Hera Dwi Novita; Fred Hollows Foundation: Dr May Ho, Ms Anna Yulia  and Ms Elisabeth Zedhityasmi and Ms Vivian Kameloh from CBM Global Indonesia. 

Outcome of the meeting: 

• MoH Indonesia and PERDAMI along with IAPB country Chair Dr Yeni will lead the initiative in which FHF, CBM and IAPB will provide necessary facilitation and support. 
• ECSAT is undergoing due to complete by end of March and dissemination of ECSAT result and strategic Vision development based on ECSAT finding will be conducted in April 2024. FHF willing to  provide financial support for this event. 
• As exiting data on eCSC and magnitude of blindness and visual impairment retrieve from RAAB survey in 2016 is considered as not relevant as it is already 7 years old, and another round of national representative blindness survey is needed for fresh evidence and to be planned for 2025.