An ambitious research programme named the ‘State of
Eye Health in the Pacific’ is getting under
way.
Pacific eye health leaders recognise that
strengthening eye health systems requires evidenced-based
research informed by the Pacific context. The Fred Hollows
Foundation NZ, in collaboration with the University of
Auckland, aims to support the development of locally driven
research through a new and ambitious research programme
named the ‘State of Eye Health in the
Pacific’.
The programme intends to develop
the evidence that Pacific governments and decisionmakers
require to establish eye health plans and policies that will
strengthen and sustain their eye health systems for the long
term. Key to the success of the programme, will be the
engagement of ophthalmic nurses who, as the professionals at
the forefront of tackling avoidable blindness, will lead the
research activities in their respective
countries.
The University of Auckland (Centre for
Pacific and Global Health and School of Optometry and Vision
Science) will partner with The Foundation on this research
programme, with both organisations committed to supporting
sustainable, resilient, and quality eye care in the
Pacific.
In three phases over five years, through
partnerships and local leadership, this research programme
aims to address the current lack of information and data on
Pacific eye health, and the current and future
socio-economic impacts that blindness and vision impairment
have on Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and their
communities.
PICs often face unique geographical,
governance, and financing challenges in delivering
accessible and quality healthcare for their people. This
means governments must decide which public health issues to
prioritise. As well as this, with hundreds of islands spread
across the Pacific region, covering approximately 15 percent
of the earth’s surface, collecting timely and accurate
data to help with these decisions is extremely
challenging.
Dr Audrey Aumua, The Foundation’s Chief
Executive Officer, says, “Eye health is one area of public
health that has remained under-resourced in the Pacific
region. However, eye health leaders recognise that without
increased focus on eye health now, and the development of
policies and plans, PICs will face deepening socio-economic
crises resulting from growing blindness and vision
impairment.
“With growing and ageing
populations, the ongoing rise of non-communicable diseases,
and increasing socio-economic disparities across the Pacific
region, our aim is for this research programme to help
secure much-needed public funding for eye health and ensure
ongoing monitoring and reporting on the state of eye health
in PICs.”
Principal investigator, Associate Professor
Jacqueline Ramke from the School of Optometry and Vision
Science, says generating the evidence required for this
ambitious programme is an exciting
project.
“Effective treatments exist for the most
common causes of vision loss, so we see this programme as a
massive opportunity to create sustainable solutions to
bridge the gap between services that we know work, and the
people who need them.
“We are proud to be one of the
first projects falling under the umbrella of the newly
established Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, Centre for Pacific and
Global Health at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
and look forward to contributing to improving eye health in
the region.”
Associate Professor Collin
Tukuitonga, Centre Director, is pleased to work together
with The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ on a neglected area in
the Pacific.
“Improved knowledge enhances our ability
to respond better to the needs of Pacific people in the
region,” he says.
Further information about the
research programme:
Each phase of the programme will be
guided by local leadership, local based researchers and
country priorities; strengthen local capabilities, voice,
and agency; consider the impacts of blindness and vision
impairment on disadvantaged and marginalised communities;
produce a comprehensive report for publication; and produce
concise, impactful policy briefs for Pacific Island
governments and decisionmakers.
– Joint
University of Auckland and Fred Hollows Foundation NZ
release
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