Vision 2020 - World Health Organization

VISION 2020 GLOBAL INITIATIVE FOR THE ELIMINATION OF AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS: ACTION PLAN 2006–2011
Nepal) but should be adjusted and tested to see whether the model can be used in countries where
the demographics, distribution of wealth and fi nancing of health care are different.
• Financial products dedicated to eye care: For instance, bank loan funds are available for approved
eye-care projects (e.g. the Eye Fund, under development).
Partnerships between national
governments and VISION 2020
Eye-care services in Member States can best be improved if the plan is implemented in collaboration
with the Ministry of Health. Integration of comprehensive national plans for the prevention of blindness
into the health-care system is the key to large-scale, coordinated action. The inputs of collaborating
nongovernmental organizations at international, regional and country level and of the private sector
are crucial. It is also essential that ministries of health:
• set and maintain, through an appropriate national committee or similar body, high technical standards
and norms;
• issue guidelines where needed;
• coordinate the input of all parties;
• arrange regular monitoring and evaluation of activities and achievements; and
• allocate adequate funds from the health-care budget to carry out VISION 2020 strategies.
The role of VISION 2020 is to encourage and technically support Member States in establishing a
national committee, analyse the situation and needs with regard to eye care, develop and implement
a national plan for the prevention of blindness and monitor and assess its implementation.
Public relations
The purpose is to raise the profi le, relevance and effectiveness of VISION 2020 in key audiences and,
in particular, among Governments, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, eye-care professionals,
corporate companies and other potential donors, the media and international nongovernmental
development organizations.
A number of activities are identifi ed to achieve these objectives. Raising the profi le of ‘World Sight
Day’ (held every year on the second Thursday in October) is particularly important. Participation in
conferences and development forums, setting up the website and publications and the identifi cation
of global, regional and national VISION 2020 ambassadors are further possibilities.
Advocacy
The purpose is to encourage and support national governments and other bodies to implement World
Health Assembly Resolutions WHA 56.26 and WHA 59.25 on the elimination of avoidable blindness,
to incorporate prevention of visual impairment into national health policies and to include it into the
activities of WHO country offi ces.
Other advocacy objectives are:
• promote ‘ownership’ of VISION 2020 by eye-care providers and other relevant medical
specialists;
58