Vietnam

Since 1993 the Eye Care Foundation has supported eye care in Vietnam. Back then, people in Vietnam had very limited access to eye care due to poverty, low awareness, and lack of infrastructure outside big cities. Since then, the country has taken important steps towards universal health coverage. The focus now lies in the development of sustainable eye care and comprehensive optical services. To achieve this the Eye Care Foundation supports the education and training of ophthalmic and support staff, the establishment of Vision Centres in the district and provincial hospitals, provides eye tests in schools and to the elderly, organizes awareness-raising activities, and conducts research.

The Eye Care Foundation works in four provinces (Dong Thap, Binh Duong, Ca Mau, and Soc Trang) and in Ho Chi Minh City. The end goal of ECF is to provide access to basic eye care for vulnerable people living in these regions.