The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ

This year our colleagues from Vila Central Hospital, in Vanuatu, commemorated #WorldSightDay by conducting eye screenings on Nguna Island – screening a total of 130 children and 33 adults. The programme began with an awareness session on eye care at Taloa Primary and Secondary Schools, followed by eye screenings for students and community members. Free glasses were provided during the screenings, along with sunglasses for children to protect their eyes. The campaign encouraged parents and caregivers to take care of their children’s eyes and inspire children to appreciate the importance of their eyesight. It also aimed to raise awareness about the negative effects of excessive screen time and how digital eye strain can impact productivity and long-term vision health. The event was made possible with thanks to the Vanuatu Ministry of Health and funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can read more about the initiative on the Vanuatu Daily Post website: https://buff.ly/4dIpCdz #WorldSightDay #LoveYourEyes

Last week, Samoa celebrated #WorldSightDay with an event hosted by Falefitu Primary School. Run in collaboration with the Samoa Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of eye care, in particular children's eye health, in keeping with this year's theme. Acting Prime Minister (Deputy Prime Minister), Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio spoke to this in his address. “This resonates profoundly Samoa. Our children are the future of our Nation, and their wellbeing is paramount. A child’s ability to see clearly is essential for their education, development, and overall quality of life”. He also highlighted how collaborations such as these are key to Samoa’s goal of ensuring quality eye care services are accessible for all. As hosts of the event, students were invited to participate and one stepped up to share why he thinks it is important to care for your eyes. “Love your eyes, because without good vision, it is very difficult to achieve my goals and complete my education.” The Samoa eye care team then ran activities to teach the students more about their eyes and provided free eye checks to test their vision. #EyeCareForAll #WSD2024

Today is #WorldSightDay! A day to celebrate our eyes and advocate for access to quality eye care for all. This year, we’re focusing on children’s eye health. Globally, at least 450 million children have a sight condition that needs treatment, with 90 million living with sight loss. 40% of childhood blindness is preventable or manageable with access to eye care services. Get involved today by pledging to love your child’s eyes! Your pledge commits to having their eyes tested by a professional and joins a global movement calling for accessible, affordable, and available eye care for all children. 👉 Make your pledge now: https://buff.ly/4003lF6 Together, let’s ensure young eyes stay healthy because children’s eye health isn’t an option—it’s essential to their well-being, education, and future. #LoveYourEyes #EyeHealthForAll #WSD #WorldSightDay2024

We believe every child deserves the chance to see the world clearly. This #WorldSightDay, we’re focusing on children’s eye health and ensuring that every child has access to the care they need. For 7-year-old Nivaan, a boy passionate about cars, access to care made all the difference. At just four years old, his parents noticed he was sitting too close to the TV. His teacher also noticed he was struggling to see the blackboard. After being referred to the Pacific Eye Institute, Nivaan was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes. Due to the pandemic, his surgery was delayed for two years, but earlier this year, his family was able to make the long journey from Nadi to get him treated. Since his eye surgery, Nivaan’s world is brighter. He’s back to playing with his toy car and feeling excited about the future. His mother shared how relieved she now feels. “It was very difficult for him at school with his sight. He was not able to see from the desk. Last year, the teacher gave him a separate desk to sit in front next to the blackboard. That was before the operation. Now he’s sitting with the other students.” Children like Nivaan deserve the opportunity to succeed. Join us this World Sight Day in making children’s eye health a priority. #WSD24 #ChildrensEyeHealth #EyeCareForKids

Around the world, 450 million children need treatment for a sight condition, and 90 million children are already living with some form of sight loss. Early intervention matters—40% of childhood blindness could be prevented or managed with proper eye care services. At The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ, we are dedicated to ending avoidable blindness and vision impairment by making quality eye care accessible to all. That's why this #WorldSightDay, we are joining the millions of voices uniting to highlight the importance of children’s eye health. Together, we can give every child the opportunity to love their eyes and live their best life. #WSD24 #EyeCareForAll #LoveYourEyes

Through the strengthening of Pacific-led eye health systems and advocating for equitable access to high-quality, affordable eye care, our mission supports some of the most climate-vulnerable communities. With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, we have incorporated climate resilience into the design of our healthcare facilities. The Regional Eye Centre (REC) in Solomon Islands operates on solar power, rainwater harvesting, and an independent sewerage system. Other notable projects include the Vanuatu National Eye Centre, which was upgraded in 2018 with solar power, low-carbon building materials, and cyclone- and earthquake-proofing, and the solar-power system installed at the Madang Eye Clinic in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in 2023. These developments underscore the Foundation’s forward-thinking approach to integrating climate-proofing within its infrastructure. In February 2024, we secured funding through the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade's Climate Finance for Community Resilience Programme to further its climate adaptation work. This funding supports the "Building Community-Level Climate Resilience in the Pacific" project, which seeks to enhance the resilience of health care facilities and surrounding communities to climate change impacts. As part of this initiative, we are excited to have partnered with to perform on site Climate Assessments at our three Foundation-supported eye clinics in PNG, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. Last month, Matthew Peck, Climate analyst from Edge Impact, kicked off the project at the REC with a site visit and a series of stakeholder meetings to identify and evaluate local climate hazards and their impacts on the healthcare facility. Edge’s assessments will identify climate risks, evaluate on-site mitigation measures, and determine how well these help deliver health and community outcomes on the ground. We look forward to sharing the findings from this work with our local climate and health partners in the Pacific in 2025! #ClimateResilience #Partnership David Maucor

A huge thank you to Specsavers’ optometrists Anna Duong and Vincent Nguyen for their recent trip to Vanuatu to run a 3-day Advanced Refraction Refresher Course. Their expertise, alongside the support of the local team, Dr Andronico Ly, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist, Monique, Senior Ophthalmic Nurse and Dunstan Tate, Programme Coordinator, helped the nine nurse participants improve their skills in testing patients' vision and determining the right prescription for glasses. This training is part of a wider partnership with Specsavers, aimed at strengthening the local eye care workforce across the Pacific. These partnerships are a key part of our mission to build local capacity and ensure quality eye care is available to all. Thank you, Specsavers, for your ongoing support in this vital work!

We’re #Hiring! General Manager – Madang Eye Clinic (Papua New Guinea) Are you passionate about making a real difference in eye health? The Fred Hollows Foundation PNG is looking for an experienced General Manager to lead operations at the Madang Eye Clinic. Based in Madang, this key role oversees eye care services, training programs, and nationwide outreach activities. As General Manager, you will: 🔹 Lead a dedicated team of clinical leaders, trainers, and support staff 🔹 Ensure efficient clinic operations and high-quality patient care 🔹 Manage partnerships with the Madang Provincial Health Authority, Provincial Hospital, and Divine Word University 🔹 Oversee training programs and nationwide outreach efforts to strengthen PNG’s eye health system If you have 5+ years of senior management experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for healthcare, we want to hear from you! Apply now or learn more about the role by emailing our team at recruitment@hollows.nz If someone you know fits this profile, please tag them or share this post within your network to help us spread the word and make a meaningful impact on eye health in PNG.

Last Monday, we were thrilled to receive a generous donation of $15,000 from Ricoh New Zealand Limited, raised through their company raffle. Their ongoing support helps us make a lasting difference in the Pacific by tackling avoidable blindness and strengthening local eye health systems. Dr. Audrey Aumua, our CEO, and Relationship Manager Stephne Vaughan were proud to accept the donation from Ricoh’s team: Ashleigh Garrett (Internal Operations Manager/ESG Manager), Olivia Gilligan (Internal Operations/ESG Coordinator), and Haroon Mohammed (Finance Director). Thank you, Ricoh, for your dedication to our cause and for standing with us in our mission. Your contributions change lives, and we’re incredibly grateful for your continued support!

Congratulations to Sarshia Hua from Specsavers Toowong, QLD, and Kevin Chen from Specsavers Mt Wellington, NZ, for winning this year’s Dame Mary Perkins Award!    This award recognises optometrists who demonstrate exceptional commitment to patient care, going above and beyond to make a positive impact in their communities. As one of this year’s judges, our CEO, Dr. Audrey Aumua, highlighted that “It’s important to celebrate the people who are at the heart of eye healthcare systems and ensure they are supported and acknowledged for the vital work they do in helping to eliminate avoidable blindness and vision impairment.”   We are proud to be part of this journey alongside Specsavers, supporting those who help bring sight to so many.