OUR WORK IN CAMBODIA 

Cataract was identified as the leading cause of avoidable blindness in Cambodia and the cataract backlog has been increasing over the past 10 years. The RAAB also revealed that uncorrected refractive error is the second major cause of moderate visual impairment (17.5%) and the main cause of early visual impairment (61.2%). 

Eye health services remain unaffordable and inaccessible to those most in need. In 2019, a review of Cambodia’s National Strategic Plan on Blindness Prevention and Control showed that only 33% of the 125 national, provincial and district-based referral hospitals were able to deliver eye health services. 

 

The number of eye health workforce in Cambodia also lags considerably behind the WHO recommended ratio. 

 

In addition, the report also noted the ongoing challenge of ensuring equitable distribution of eye health human resources between provinces and cities. Encouraging ophthalmologists to work in rural areas where the need is greatest is another challenge.

 

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS 

The Foundation works with government partners on efforts to eliminate avoidable blindness in Cambodia.

These partners include the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the National Program for Eye Health, the University of Health Sciences and other NGOs to promote eye health services in Cambodia.

The Cambodia program also receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

The Foundation continues to focus on health system strengthening in leadership and governance, health financing, and workforce development. 

OUR RESULTS

Through The Foundation supported training programs:

• 17 ophthalmology residents and 41 ophthalmic nurse students graduated. 

Advocacy efforts contributed to considerable improvement in eye health workforce distribution. 

The results:

• An additional 13 graduate ophthalmologists have been employed by various government and NGO hospitals in 2019, with six employed by provincial hospitals. 

Gender equity and disability inclusion:

• Women accounted for more than half (6,987 of 10,560) of people ( who participated in various gender and eye health awareness raising activities. As well, 34 people with a disability participated.
• Women comprised more than half (335 of 614) of people who received eye screening services during World Sight Day, with 35 referred for cataract surgery. As well, 31 people with a disability were screened with two accessing cataract surgery.

 

2019 RESULTS

Helping people see:

• 45,352 people screened
• 6,465 eye operations and treatments performed including:
• 4,268 cataract operations
• 2,197 other sight saving or improving interventions

 

Investing in people:

• 701 people trained including:
• 135 community health workers
• 85,271 community members educated in eye health

Equipment and Technology

• 3 training facilities equipped

READ THOL'S STORY HERE. 

CONTACT US

Phone: +855 23 987 831

Office Address: 2nd Floor, PGCT Center (Building B), Street 274, Sangkat Tonle Basac, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA. Zip Code: 12301


Country Office Contacts:

Country Manager: Tokyo Bak

Email:  [email protected]

Tokyo Bak holds tertiary qualifications in Business Administration, Human Resources Management and Physical Therapy. 

Prior to joining The Foundation in 2019, Tokyo was a Senior Program Manager at the Australian Embassy, Phnom Penh, between 2012 and 2019. Before that he was the Country Representative of Veterans International Cambodia. 

Tokyo has gained two awards from the Royal Government of Cambodia in recognition of his contribution to the development of the country: The Gold Medal (2012); and The Royal Order of Sahametrei (Sena-Medal) in 2014.
 

Finance and Operations Manager: Socheata Vansam

Email: [email protected]