Global Alliance representative, and EBAANZ Chair, Dr. Graeme Pollock, says the key aims of the Global Alliance are to “develop global collaboration on best practice, sharing of information on scientific meetings, development of conferences and education events, establishment of a worldwide register of eye banks, development and promotion of global coding and traceability efforts, and bio-vigilance systems for ocular tissue”.
He said advocacy and education would also play a key role in the organisation’s development.
“The concept of the Global Alliance also seeks to assist existing global Eye Bank Associations to support and combat unethical practice associated with donation and transplantation, as advised by the WHO’s Declaration of Istanbul on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism,” Dr. Pollock said.
Other signatories to the new Global Alliance include eye bank associations in America, Europe, Asia, and India and the Pan American Association of Eye Banks.
Each of the associations will retain their independence, identity and position as a regional association. While still in the foundation phase, Global Alliance key stakeholders have launched a new website, www.gaeba.org, providing a platform for future dialogue and communication.
