Support for vision 2020 programme

Many Institutions have agreed to support the treatment of eye patients who live in difficult areas of the country, a Health Ministry Spokesman said.

Some international institutions have come forward to make the Health Ministry’s programme of Vision 2020 a success. International Centre for Eye Care, APCAS Institution in Japan, Surgi Vision Institution have donated Rs five million worth of equipment for eye surgeries on July 1.

The Health Ministry has implemented a number of programmes to treat eye patients under the Vision 2020 programme. Under this progrmame the ministry has drawn a plan to identify eye patients as a major part of this project. Apart from that the Ministry has conducted cataract operations, provided lence implants, consultations providing free spectacles and developing eye clinics at hospitals.

ICEE Director Aneetha Munasinghe provided Rs 700,000 worth of equipment for eye clinics in districts of Moneragala, Hambantota, Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu. The Surgi Vision institute has provided 500 lences valued at Rs 1 million.

The APCAS Institution in Japan signed an agreement to provide spectacles free for schoolchildren in the Nuwara Eliya District.

These donations were presented to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena under a request by Health Ministry Additional Secretary Palitha Maheepala.