News Feature: Surigao Norte launches eye care program

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 19 – Truly a lucky year for the province of Surigao del Norte to be a recipient of the Fred Hollows Foundation, a global non-profit aid organization inspired by the work of an Australian eye surgeon named Fred Hollows, which focuses on treating and preventing blindness and other visual problems in almost 22 countries worldwide.

The foundation had recently began its work in the Philippines, where Tarlac as its first beneficiary and Surigao del Norte as the second with focus on developing sustainable Community Eye Care services through a thorough advocacy and influencing policy makers to include community eye care among its health services.

Series of project briefings/presentations to all stakeholders and partners such as local ophthalmologists, optometrists, city health office, provincial and city DepEd health division personnel and provincial/city DSWD were conducted as well as role clarification for each level signaled the beginning of this journey.

Capacity building for the Municipal Health Officers, selected hospital and school nurses, and barangay health workers who will be instrumental in the case-finding and screening of clients will be the next step.

The Philippine Blindness Prevention Program envisions that all Filipinos specifically Surigaonons shall enjoy the right to sight by year 2020. With this premise, for the next two and a half years, the province’s eye care program shall be affordable and accessible to many especially the marginalized individuals with an effort to sustain and integrate the program in the health services of the province. (Fema D. Bayana, PHO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)