United Nations 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States

Title: Delivering Universal Eye Care: Innovative capacity building to end avoidable sight loss, strengthen health system resiliency and accelerate progress towards the SDGs

Date and Time: 27 May, 2024 12:00-13:30

Location: Room 2, American University of Antigua, St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda

Overview:

On the margins of the SIDS4 conference, the UN Friends of Vision Group will host the official side event, Delivering Universal Eye Care: Innovative capacity building to end avoidable sight loss, strengthen health system resiliency and accelerate progress towards the SDGs, to explore the rapidly growing impact of regional eye health challenges on sustainable development and highlight the transformative power of innovative capacity building as a means to achieve a healthier and more equitable future for Small Island Developing States.

Event Description:

Across the world’s most challenging environments, health systems are struggling to deliver. With the prevalence of avoidable sight loss on the rise globally, resulting in widespread and profound implications for health, sustainable development, and the economy, Small Island States (SIDS) must work together across sectors to substantially expand eye health service capacity within Universal Health Coverage and unlock the potential for individual and shared progress. The event will convene an expert panel that will explore innovative strategies and initiatives, including collaborative networks and sustainable capacity building, that SIDS can employ to build comprehensive, accessible, equitable and resilient health care systems that increase universal access to essential eye health services and accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).

The event will highlight the Fiji-based Pacific Eye Care Society (PacEYES), a nongovernment organization with unique structures, culture and resources in place to allow it to advocate and collectively work toward the elimination of avoidable blindness across the Pacific Islands. PacEYES highlights how SIDS can leverage and scale up working partnerships with international and local NGOs, academic institutions and governments to strengthen systems, address critical health needs, and reduce inequalities within and among countries.