Govt. committed to implementing National Eye Health Strategy: PM Oli

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Apr.30: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the government is committed to implementing the National Eye Health Strategy.

Addressing the InSight Live 2030 International Conference on Wednesday, he said the government is committed to implementing the new National Eye Health Strategy.

He said that Nepal has approved a new national eye health strategy, saying that this strategy will demonstrate the priority given to integrating eye health into the primary health care system and essential services.

He claimed that eye health is no longer seen as a stand-alone program and has become part of the government's public health infrastructure.

"Saying that the government has started a school-based vision screening program, he said that the 'school nurse program', has also been started. In which eye health is included as a key part of student welfare," said Prime Minister Oli.

He said that gender equality and access to education will be promoted in line with Sustainable Development Goals 4-5.

He said that eye health indicators are being included in the country's National Health Management Information System.

Prime Minister Oli said that the government has set ambitious goals in the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023-2030, including a commitment to double effective cataract surgery coverage from 35.4 percent to 70 percent.

He said eye health directly and indirectly impacts many of the Sustainable Development Goals, from ending poverty and hunger to reducing inequality and promoting climate resilience.