Cataract Blindness Elimination

GX has identified “Healthy Ageing” as its first underlying theme for its activities in the next five years. The 60+ population will double globally by 2050 which has far-reaching implications for humanitarian medical needs.

GX has prioritised cataract blindness in resource deficit communities as the first, primary intervention strategy.  Affecting 18 million people globally, cataract blindness is reversible through a well-established surgical procedure, the outcome of which is transformative and impactful. It is the major cause of blindness, accounting for half of visual impairment worldwide affecting mostly the elderly. As the world’s population ages, the number of cataract blindness cases will grow, disproportionately affecting rural areas of developing countries. The WHO estimates that the rates of blindness in low- and middle-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia are eight times higher than high income countries. 

GX aims to launch Cataract Blindness Elimination Projects to clear backlog cases in three countries along the Belt and Road region which includes Cambodia, Laos, and Djibouti with Mobile Eye Treatment Centres (METC) and professional medical teams from China. The projects are designed in partnership with local Ministries of Health, Chinese enterprises, and health organisations, and will in parallel address gaps in local capacity and infrastructure.

Related News

·       GX signs MOU with the Ministry of Health and Social action in Senegal

·       GX first medical team has successfully completed their mission in Laos

·       GX Foundation lends humanitarian support to Belt and Road countries Renewal of agreement to eliminate backlog of cataract blindness in Prey Veng Province of Cambodia

·       GX signs MOU with the Health Commission of Shanxi Province

·       GX signs MOU with the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Health Commission

·       GX signs MOU with the Ministry of Health in Djibouti

 

Additional Resources

·       WHO Information on Blindness and Vision Impairment Prevention

·       WHO Information on Priority Diseases: Cataracts

·       The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness: Cataracts

·       Vision 2020: The Right to Sight