Rates of trachoma have fallen rapidly across 22 of the 54 Commonwealth countries, with 24 million people at risk in 2020 compared to 42 million in 2018.
Vision for Commonwealth has published its first two-yearly report that tracked progress since the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2018 and made recommendations towards achieving the goals that were set.
At the time, heads of government committed to take action towards achieving access to quality eye care for all, which included the elimination of trachoma by 2020.
Despite the impact of Covid-19 last year, the report highlighted great strides had been made towards ending the infectious disease.
In addition, there were positive developments on vision and eye health care in every region of the Commonwealth.
A digital launch event was held for the report, which was attended by HRH the Countess of Wessex, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and parenting expert Jo Frost.
Scotland said at the event: ‘Since the 2018 Heads of Government commitment to quality eye care for all, including eliminating trachoma by 2020, I am pleased to say there have been positive developments on eye health in every region of the Commonwealth.
‘The number of people at risk of trachoma has almost halved and Commonwealth countries are increasingly investing in eye health. Many Commonwealth countries have begun to address children’s vision in schools, improving their school performance, health and well-being.
‘Yet even with these commendable achievements, eye health remains a major public health challenge. More than 1.1 billion people globally do not have access to the eye health services they need. Among our children, 91 million live with vision loss and these figures are projected to rise.’
Success stories where trachoma has been eliminated, such as in Ghana and the Gambia, were noted in the report. However, it also
highlighted cuts to the UK government’s trachoma elimination programme could limit progress.
Peter Holland, CEO of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and chair of the Vision for the Common-wealth coalition, said: ‘Progress on eye health around the Common-wealth has been a great success. However, the Vision for the Commonwealth coalition is surprised and saddened that the UK government is planning to prematurely stop all funding for its trachoma programmes around the Commonwealth.
‘The Vision for the Common-wealth coalition is calling on the UK government not to walk away from the commitments it has made to the people of the Common-wealth to eliminate trachoma and protect the legacy of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.’
Opportunity for all
The main recommendation of the report was that school eye health should become a priority of the Commonwealth in order to unlock the potential of every child.
By providing eye tests to all pupils in school alongside prompt and effective treatment of any conditions detected, it said that whole generations of young people could have their educational attainment and life chances boosted.
It cited a World Bank report that described visual impairment as one of the most common disabilities for children, which could impact school enrolment, attainment and learning.
Commonwealth countries, such as Rwanda and India, were introducing or expanding school-based eye screening and treatment, as well as the provision of affordable spectacles.
It said that these programmes could make a major difference to children’s learning and eye health and added glasses could reduce the odds of failing a class by 44%.
In addition, the report said comprehensive school eye health programmes could also include health education and promotion and support inclusive education for children with irreversible vision impairment.
Frost, known for her Supernanny programme, said this was a cause she was extremely passionate about. ‘Eye tests and affordable treatments, including glasses, totally transform the vision of generations to come. We can help boost test scores by the equivalent of up to six months of additional schooling, with glasses being one of the most effective health interventions. This is about our children’s future lives, their education.’
The report said with a sustained effort, global elimination of trachoma was within sight and would be a massive contribution to global health.
The Commonwealth’s continued championing of eye health is key to ensure that its people can enjoy good eyesight, enhancing their quality of life and life chances, the report concluded.
- Read the report at www.visionforthecommonwealth.com