The 62nd World Health Assembly

The 62nd World Health Assembly (WHA) has endorsed the action plan for the prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment. This marks a critical milestone in ensuring that blindness prevention activities the world over receive adequate support from WHO member states and their ministries of health.

The Assembly saw support for ‘our’ action plan pouring in from 29 WHO member states. Delegates appreciated the high technical quality of the document and congratulated WHO and its Prevention of Blindness team on this accomplishment. They also narrated ongoing blindness prevention activities in their respective countries.

IAPB’s President Mr Christian Garms made a statement underlining the value of IAPB's collaboration with WHO and its willingness to further support joint activities.

I would like to thank HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Ahmad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Regional Chair, IAPB EMR, Dr Abdulaziz Al Rajhi, Regional Co-Chair, IAPB EMR, Dr Ivo Kocur, Team Leader, WHO-PBD and all our members and friends who put in untold hours of effort to ensure this outcome.

Do read the news item on the VISION 2020 website and write to us with your comments…

Peter Ackland,
CEO, IAPB