The Fred Hollows Foundation has celebrated its 25th anniversary, during which time it has restored sight to over two million people in more than 25 countries.
Although The Foundation was not formally established until 1992, its mission is to end avoidable blindness began in the 1970s when Professor Fred Hollows set out to redress the appalling health conditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through The National Trachoma and Eye Health Program.
Prof. Hollow’s mission expanded across the world when he visited Nepal, Burma, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh on behalf of the World Health Organization in 1985 and then war-torn Eritrea two years later.
“It’s bittersweet that Fred is not around as he would be absolutely blown away by the amazing achievements over the past 25 years and how his legacy has changed the lives of millions,” said Gabi Hollows, Founding Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation.
When people in Eritrea and Nepal could not afford AU$150 or more for an intraocular lens to treat cataract, Fred decided to make high quality, affordable lenses in those countries.
“Initially we set out to help Fred’s fellow ophthalmologists Dr. Sanduk Ruit from Nepal and Dr. Desbele Ghebreghergis from Eritrea to bring the basic tools for cataract surgery to their own countries, where they had no lenses, no operating instruments, no drugs, not even sutures in those days.
“When people in Eritrea and Nepal could not afford AU$150 or more for an intraocular lens to treat cataract, Fred decided to make high quality, affordable lenses in those countries.”
“That’s how The Foundation started, in true Fred style, simply getting the job done.
“We have proved you can do the highest standard of eye surgery in some of the poorest countries in the world and in some places for as little as $25, which is a remarkable achievement and something Fred would be very proud of.”
Ms. Hollows thanked the Foundation’s supporters. “We would not be celebrating 25 years of The Fred Hollows Foundation and restoring sight without your incredible and enduring support.”
