Specsavers extends VAO partnership

Vision Aid Overseas and Specsavers have extended their charity alliance in Zambia for another three years until 2017.

The partnership was to focus on increasing accessibility of eye tests, glasses and health education in rural areas.  It will also support training and development to reinforce skills gained by local optometry technologists, ophthalmic nurses and clinical officers as they move from college into work.

A new Centre of Excellence at Chainama College will be opened later this year, providing mentoring support, supplies and equipment maintenance to nine Vision Centres around the country.

A statement added that one in four Zambians suffer from avoidable visual impairment, while two thirds lived under its recognised national poverty line.