Constituency statement
Agenda item 6: Universal health coverage

Coordinating NSA: International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
On behalf of NSAs:
1. L’Organisation Pour La Prevention De La Cecite (OPC)
2. The Fred Hollows Foundation
3. Sightsavers The Royal Commonwealth Society for Blind
4. World Blind Union
5. World Council of Optometry

Honourable chair, esteemed delegates,

We commend member states’ commitment in recognising the continuing unmet need of eye health at the high-level meeting on UHC.

1.1 billion people are blind or have a visual impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be treated. This number is estimated to reach 1.8 billion by 2050 without increased action and investment. Unaddressed cataract and refractive errors are the leading cause of blindness and vision impairment and yet interventions to address these conditions offer an average return of $9.40 for each dollar invested.

Good vision cuts across multiple sectors, with links to increased economic productivity (SDG 1 & SDG 8), overall good health (SDG 3), and improved education and learning (SDG 4). Progress in eye health is also an indicator of progress towards closing societal gaps in inequality, such as for women and girls, people with disability, Indigenous Peoples and older persons (SDG 5 and 10).

Given the magnitude of the global eye health challenge, access to eye care is an essential part of UHC and a key indicator of an effective functioning health system. The global eye health targets and corresponding indicators adopted at the 74th WHA provide a critical missing dimension in measuring progress towards UHC.

As we strive towards achieving UHC by 2030, we urge member states to
• Prioritize and allocate budgets for eye health within national health agendas and promote collaboration across sectors. Investment in eye health is not just a health matter but also a smart investment.
• Include comprehensive eye care services within primary health care packages, reflecting a commitment to leave no one behind on the path to UHC.
• Ensure that all eye care services are designed and delivered in accordance with accessibility standards, making them fully accessible to people with disabilities.
• Include the global eye health indicators in all global and national frameworks for monitoring UHC.

Thank you.