The Phnom Penh Municipal Health Department has announced a collaboration with the Fred Hollows Australia Foundation to offer free eye treatment and care at the Phnom Penh Referral Hospital from March 11 to 15.
According to Ngy Mean Heng, Director of the Phnom Penh Municipal Health Department, this initiative marks the second time in 2024 that the Fred Hollows Foundation has partnered with the Municipal Health Department to address eye health issues among the populace of the capital.
Expressing gratitude towards the Foundation for their efforts in raising awareness about eye health and providing complimentary eye surgeries and treatments to economically disadvantaged families, Mean Heng underscored the significance of such partnerships in enhancing healthcare services and alleviating poverty.
Neth Sovirak, Director of Phnom Penh Referral Hospital, outlined the services to be provided during the specified period, including free eye examinations and cataract surgeries. Sovirak urged individuals in Phnom Penh experiencing eye-related problems to avail themselves of the free check-ups and treatments offered.
You Piseth, an ophthalmologist at Phnom Penh Referral Hospital, emphasized the importance of community outreach in promoting eye care, expressing commitment to ongoing education and support for those in need.
The initiative targets individuals without the means to access eye care services, with Piseth highlighting the readiness of Phnom Penh Referral Hospital to provide medical assistance and surgical procedures, while also advocating for eye health awareness within communities, households, and educational institutions.
The Fred Hollows Foundation’s involvement in Cambodia aims to enhance access to high-quality eye healthcare and to train local eye care professionals. Since its inception in 1998, the Foundation has played a pivotal role in reducing avoidable blindness rates by 68% nationwide, significantly impacting communities at various levels.
Through collaboration with the Cambodian and Australian governments, as well as other key stakeholders, the Foundation works towards bolstering the public eye care system to ensure accessibility for all. Support for the Cambodian program also stems from the Australian Government, facilitated through the Australian NGO Cooperation Programme (ANCP).
