PM Oli affirms government’s commitment to National Eye Health Strategy

Kathmandu: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing Nepal’s new National Eye Health Strategy.

Speaking at the InSight Live 2030 International Conference on Wednesday, he said the strategy reflects the government’s priority to integrate eye care into the primary health care system and essential services.

He stated that eye health is no longer treated as a separate initiative but has become an integral part of the national public health infrastructure.

Highlighting recent initiatives, the Prime Minister said the government has launched a school-based vision screening program, alongside the school nurse program, which includes eye health as a key component of student welfare.

He added that efforts are being made to align eye health services with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 5, promoting gender equality and access to education.

Eye health indicators are also being incorporated into the National Health Management Information System, he noted.

PM Oli said the Health Sector Strategic Plan 2023–2030 includes ambitious targets, such as increasing effective cataract surgery coverage from 35.4% to 70%.

He further stated that eye health has broad implications for achieving various SDGs, from poverty and hunger reduction to tackling inequality and building climate resilience.