United Nations, July 24 (AP): The United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved its first resolution on vision, calling on 193 member states to ensure eye care for all in their countries, helping contribute to the global effort. At least 1.1 billion people with visual impairment who currently lack eye services by 2030.
The “Vision for Everyone” resolution, sponsored by Bangladesh, Antigua and Ireland and co-sponsored by more than 100 countries, was adopted unanimously by the world body.
It encourages countries to establish a “whole government approach to eye care”. And it calls on international financial institutions and donors to provide targeted financing, particularly for developing countries, to address the growing impact of vision loss on economic and social development.
According to the resolution, “at least 2 billion people are living with visual impairment or blindness and 1.1 billion people with visual impairments that could have been prevented or are yet to be resolved.” “Global eye care needs are projected to increase significantly, with half of the global population expected to live with vision loss by 2050,” the resolution said.
Bangladesh’s UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima introduced the resolution, emphasizing its first focus on vision, and called it “a long-standing recognition of the central role played by a healthy vision for human life and sustainable development”. . He said that of the 1.1 billion people with vision loss worldwide, more than 90% live in low- and middle-income countries, and 55% of blind people are women and girls.
On average, vision loss is costing the global economy “a staggering $411 billion in productivity each year,” Fatima said. And access to eye care services can increase per capita household spending by 88% “and the likelihood of finding paid employment by 10%.” While General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they reflect global opinion.
Fatima said it was important to the gathering that the United Nations “clear commitment to ensuring proper eye care facilities for all, everywhere, to prevent situations that can cause serious and permanent damage.” He called the proposal “an opportunity to change the lives of millions of people who are living in blindness or with impaired vision.” The resolution emphasizes that access to eye care is essential to achieving the UN’s goals for 2030 to end poverty and hunger, ensure healthy living and quality education, and reduce inequality.
It calls on all countries to mobilize resources and support to ensure eye care for all people in their countries to reach at least 1.1 billion people worldwide “who have vision loss and currently have eye problems”. no access to care services. Needed” by 2030.
Hong Kong philanthropist James Chen, founder of Clearly Campaign to Promote a Global Vision that has campaigned for the resolution for the past two decades, called it “an important milestone” and “an important milestone” in achieving the United Nations’ goals. initial step”.
In a statement to the Associated Press, he said, “The first step, now, is to ensure that governments follow through on their commitment to action,” and “with regard to vision improvement as essential health care, family planning and infant Along with other priorities like vaccination.”
Chen, president of the Chen Yat-sen Family Foundation, said that with such engagement from governments and non-governmental organizations, “glasses are affordable, and their distribution is solvable,” and meet the ambitious UN 2030 deadline. can be done. (AP) India
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