According to the World Health Organization (WHO), uncorrected refractive errors (53%), followed by un-operated cataract (25%), are the top two causes of vision impairment worldwide. And while more than 80% of vision loss can be prevented or cured, barriers to treatment like cost and lack of access to resources (like proper surgical equipment and doctors), results in unnecessary impairment or blindness in low- and middle-income countries.
Thankfully, Global Clinic – a Singapore-based nonprofit that provides free specialized healthcare in dentistry, ophthalmology and women’s health – has stepped in to provide primary healthcare to alleviate preventable suffering. Founded in 1997, the charitable organization plans to extend its reach to all parts of the developing world, especially in Asia.
According to Global Clinic, the most common vision conditions encountered are uncorrected refractive error and cataracts – the WHO’s top two causes of vision loss and preventable blindness. A typical mission lasts for one week; volunteers travel to underdeveloped areas in countries like Nepal and Myanmar, where there is no access to eye care. The team will typically treat and examine 3,000 to 4,000 patients and perform 300 to 400 surgeries to restore sight. Since the charity was founded, it has improved the lives of more than 36,000 people in ethnic minority tribes and remote villages in 11 countries around Asia and beyond.
“The most rewarding aspect of leading missions is working with volunteers from all walks of life of different countries and cultures, coming together for one common goal – providing access to healthcare and providing cost-effective treatments for reversible or preventable blindness,” said Dr. Marcus Ang, founding director of Global Clinic and head of the Global Clinic Vision Team.
In addition to dentistry and women’s health, Global Clinic provides primary eye care including optometry (prescription and reading glasses); general ophthalmology for treatment of common conditions (like glaucoma); cataract surgery; and minor eye surgery (including pterygium excision and conjunctival autograft). They also provide services that focus on education, skills-transfer and knowledge sharing with local optometrists, ophthalmologists and nurses to ensure patients continue to receive appropriate care.
Global Clinic finds that ophthalmologists from Asia-Pacific are very active in volunteer work and prevention of blindness programs – and often, this work is supported by their own eye centers or hospitals. They note that many of the volunteer doctors, nurses and optometrists work at the Singapore National Eye Centre, which is very supportive and has its own philanthropy program.
The organization is always seeking volunteers and contributions – and 100% of contributions are directed towards medicine, equipment and medical supplies to improve the lives of beneficiaries. Global Clinic also requires that volunteers self-fund the medical trips to ensure that donations are maximized for patients. In addition, Global Clinic is seeking to engage with corporations to help bring additional aid to rural areas. To volunteer, donate or for more information, please visit www. global-clinic.org.
