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Seeing is Believing commended in House of Lords

4 November 2009

As part of a debate in the UK parliament on progress towards eliminating avoidable blindness, Seeing is Believing was commended for its work in supporting ’VISION 2020: The Right to Sight’.

Three speakers recognised Standard Chartered’s investment and its partnership with International Agency for Prevention of Blindness contributing to VISION 2020.

Lord Bilimoria said “VISION 2020 has been a shining example of how partnership – and in particular public-private partnerships – can be so effective. There is no better example of this… than the Seeing is Believing campaign launched by Standard Chartered Bank. What a difference it is making.”

The debate underlined the importance of tackling avoidable blindness and that the impact of blindness stretches far beyond health:

“Eye health should be seen as key to the millennium development goals, including education, women’s rights and employment.” said Lord Crisp, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Service and Chairman of Sightsavers International.

Speaking of the impact avoidable blindness has on individuals, Lord Brett, spokesperson for the Department for International Development, stated:

“There are many health challenges across the world, and when it comes to avoidable blindness, it does not have to be this way.  In the vast majority of cases, tried, tested, simple and cost-effective interventions already exist for blindness and other visual impairments.”  

However, Lord Dholakia recognised that much more needs to be done:

“There can be no excuse. Blindness prevention strategies are among the most cost-effective in healthcare.”