Foundation fight to end blindness
THE Ministry of Health and the GX Foundation, a Hong Kong-based charitable organisation, persist in their collaboration to offer medical and public health humanitarian assistance. Their focus lies in expanding eye health service programmes in targeted provinces, aligning with Cambodia’s goal of eradicating preventable blindness by 2030.
This commitment was affirmed during a January 30 meeting between minister Chheang Ra and Leung ChunYing, chairman of the foundation and vice-chair of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
Ra, in discussing the partnership, highlighted the foundation’s contribution to health services, noting that a team of doctors had treated 6,208 cataract cases across Cambodia. The surgeries, conducted between 2018 and 2019 in Kampong Cham province and from November 2022 to December 2023 in Prey Veng province, aimed to
eliminate blindness caused by cataracts, benefiting a total of 3,045 patients.
“The ministry collaborates to strengthen eye health services in provinces, eye care centres within district hospitals and at the community level. This includes the provision of equipment and technology for eye examinations, treatment and surgery, ensuring improved eye care for all Cambodians,” he said.
In response, Leung reiterated the foundation’s commitment to ongoing cooperation, pledging to take the project to additional provinces as per the ministry’s request.
“The GX Foundation will continue to cooperate and expand its cataract initiative to achieve Cambodia’s goal of eliminating preventable blindness by 2030,” he said.
Ra praised the foundation for its dedication to increased cooperation with the ministry, contributing to the government’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in line with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy.
The eye health service project currently offers free examinations and surgeries in provincial health departments, covering areas such as Kampong Speu, Preah Vihear, Mondulkiri and Kandal provinces.
On the same day, Leung also paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Manet. In their discussions, Leung not only noted the ongoing collaboration and enhancement of initiatives with the ministry but also spotlighted intensifying efforts in the fight against dengue fever.
Manet applauded the foundation’s contribution to supporting the country’s health sector and welcomed plans for expansion.
He urged the foundation to enhance cooperation with the ministry, especially in identifying new target provinces for vision screening, treatment services, dengue fever programmes.