Dr. Ivo Kocur, Vision 2020 Global Coordinator World Health Organization, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland

May 27th, 2006

VISION 2020 Goals

Prevention of blindness and visual impairment
welcoming the important actions developed at regional, subregional and international levels by Member States with the view to achieving substantial progress in the elimination of avoidable blindness through greater international cooperation and solidarity,
urges member states:
1. to reinforce efforts to set up national Vision 2020 plans as called for in resolution WHA 56.26;
2. to provide support for Vision 2020 plans by mobilizing domestic funding;
3. to include prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment in national developement plans and goals;
4. to advance the integration of prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment in primary health care and in existing health plans and programmes at regional and national levels;
5. to encourage partnerships between the public sector, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, civil society and communities in programmes and activities for prevention of blindness at all levels;
6. to develop and strengthen eye-care services and integrate them in the existing health care system at all levels, including the training and re-training of health workers in visual health;
7. to make available within health-systems essential medicines and medical supplies needed for eye care.