Skip to content

Three things you need to know about integrated people-centred eye care

A snapshot of key strategies, resources and learning experiences around integrated people-centred eye care.

Author: Michael Morton, IAPB Knowledge Team, August 2022

1) There are four strategies to guide action towards IPEC

Eye care in health systems guide for action coverTo move towards integrated people-centred eye care (IPEC), we need action towards four strategies:

  • Empowering and engaging people and communities
  • Reorienting the model of care towards primary care
  • Coordinating services within and across sectors
  • Creating an enabling environment.

The WHO’s Eye care in health systems: guide for action gives examples of actions we can take in each area.

Select the following four tabs to learn more.

2) Integration is central to IPEC

Integration within and beyond health system is a key element of IPEC. This means eye care services must be coordinated between across the different levels – from primary care in the community all the way to care provided by eye specialists in hospitals.

We need to create stronger links with general health services and beyond the health sector.

View this video to learn more.

Video Transcript

3) You can sign up for an Introduction to IPEC

Woman in an office getting her vision tested by a nurse who is pointing to a letter on a chartYou may have some further questions about IPEC. For example, how is IPEC different from previous approaches to eye care? What are the first steps to make IPEC a reality? How different will these steps be between countries?

Introduction to IPEC is a free, self-paced elearning course that references and guides you through key elements of the WHO’s Eye care in health systems: guide for action and IAPB’s Integrated People-centred Eye Care Advocacy to Action Toolkit.

You’ll start by learning more about what integrated people-centred (IPEC) is, what it aims to achieve and why it is important. Then in the final three units, you will play the role of Clara, the Country Manager for an eye health NGO. You’ll participate in meetings, initiate a policy dialogue, and help to guide your team towards a strategic plan for IPEC implementation.

Register for Introduction to IPEC at this link.