Over 200,000 visually impaired patients in the central province of Quang Nam have received check-ups and treatment under the Vietnam–Australia Vision Support Programme (VAVSP) between July 2011 and December 2013.

It was revealed at a meeting in the locality on December 17 to review the programme which is underway in districts of Que Son, Hiep Duc, Duy Xuyen and Tien Phuoc.

Of the patients, over 1,500 underwent cataract surgeries. More than 900 medical workers in communes, districts and schools have accessed professional training, offering examinations to around 47,000 students in 56 schools.

The Australian Government-funded project via the Fred Hollows Foundation in Vietnam has helped the province with relevant planning, management and comprehensive eye care, district-level capability enhancement, and lessons in national policymaking.

Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Huynh Khanh Toan said in the coming time, Quang Nam will build on the success of the programme so that the poor and ethnic minority communities are able to benefit from eye care services.

The province, at the same time, will improve the skills of medical staff in districts and buy more advanced healthcare equipment.-VNA