30-year partnership in Nepal, established by Professor Fred Hollows and Nepalese ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit, has been successful in restoring sight to millions of people worldwide.
The centre, which is supported by the Australian Government, treats more than 6,000 patients each week, and builds local capacity and expertise in eye health by providing research, training, and education.
Additionally, it produces high-quality, affordable intraocular lenses (IOLs).
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts, recently visited the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu, Nepal to witness the work being done to eliminate avoidable blindness in the region.
“I am proud the Australian Government has been able to support the partnership between The Fred Hollows Foundation and the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology through our Australian NGO Cooperation Program and the Direct Aid Program,” he said.
“This initiative has significantly reduced the cost of cataract surgery with IOLs produced in Nepal now being used in over 75 countries,” said Ian Wishart, Chief Executive Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation.
“This has a huge global impact because we know if we improve eye health, we also reduce healthcare costs and boost productivity around the world.”
Dr Ruit, who remains the medical director at Tilganga, has performed more than 120,000 eye operations and trained thousands of surgeons.
Speaking of his work with Fred Hollows, Dr Ruit said the late Professor would have been proud of what they had achieved together.
“I think it should be written down in history as a perfect partnership,” Dr Ruit said.
“We have together made lots of landmark changes in the history of ophthalmology and prevention of blindness.”
