Accelerating the elimination of avoidable blindness

Abstract

The number of blind people in the African Region is estimated at 6.8 million. Blindness is a real public health problem. 2. Several countries in the Region have blindness control programmes. However, the programmes have limited impact due to lack of appropriate structures and resources. The Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness, also known as “Vision 2020: The Right to Sight”, launched in partnership with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, is an opportunity and appropriate response to the challenges posed by blindness. 3. The present strategy is intended to help implement the Vision 2020 Initiative in the African Region. 4. Interventions proposed under the strategy are: (i) advocacy and development of policies and plans; (ii) integrating eye care activities in existing health systems; (iii) adopting specific approaches to controlling priority diseases; (iv) developing human resources and infrastructures; (v) strengthening partnership and mobilizing resources; (vi) developing research. 5. The Regional Committee is requested to review and adopt the present strategy.