Today is the launch of the project ‘Powering Progress with eye care’. This project is supported by the Royal De Heus Group.
Royal De Heus Group is an international company with a leading position in the animal feed industry. De Heus was founded in 1911 and has its roots in the Netherlands. After more than 100 years the company is still owned and managed by the De Heus family.
In Vietnam, De Heus has seven factories producing animal feed with the help of local people and their products are sold to local farmers. The company is grateful for their success and would like to do something to help the people in Vietnam. That is why De Heus is starting a 10-year sponsorship of Eye Care Foundation`s projects in Vietnam. Together they will strive to prevent and cure avoidable blindness and impaired vision in Vinh Long, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable people.
In collaboration with the local government and health organizations, Eye Care Foundation works at improving the eye care infrastructure, training and raising eye health awareness.
Why the project Powering progress with eye care?
Eighty percent of all blindness and impaired vision can be prevented or treated. Blindness has a huge social and financial impact on the quality of life in communities. Approximately 1 million children and 1.5 million elderly people in the Mekong Delta have impaired vision. When people have access to good eye care services, their eyesight can often be restored. They can help achieve growth for themselves, their family and their community.
Project status: Powering progress with eye care
The project is currently in the preparation phase. Together with the provincial department of health and the Centre of Social Diseases (COSD), the ECF is determining the highest priority needs for both the short and long term.
- Eye tests for children, the elderly and the families and employees of De Heus
- Providing information to inform people about preventing and curing eye disorders
- Training of health care professionals
- Improving infrastructure (equipment, vision centres)