Context
In the Philippines, one in four indigenous people is visually impaired, and the rate of blindness in these communities is six times higher than in other populations. Often located in underserved areas, they are unable to access the eye care they need, which has a significant impact on their family life and well-being. Cataract-related blindness is 12 times more common among indigenous peoples, yet 94% of these cases are preventable or curable.
Supported project
In 2020-2021, L'OCCITANE Philippines and the L'OCCITANE Foundation renewed their partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation to provide basic eye health care in rural areas of the Philippines. In partnership with local civil society organizations (CSOs), this project will address identified barriers to health-seeking behaviors by supporting specific interventions such as targeted awareness campaigns, screenings sessions, transportation allowances, provisions of spectacles and pre/post-surgery medicines.
A preferential assistance will be specifically given to elderly women, tricycle drivers and street vendors, farmers and fisherfolks and persons with disability (PWDs).
Some figures
Budget 10,000 euros
Result 111,162 beneficiaries
History
Project supported since 2019
In 2019, L'OCCITANE Philippines and the Foundation started to support the Fred Hollows Foundation project in the Philippines in order to provide eye care services for youth from indigenous communities in four regions of the country.
The objective was to raise awareness of the pathologies in schools in particular, and to train local health care personnel throughout workshops on Eye Health Education (EHE) held in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Antique so that they could intervene when necessary with these populations. Screening in primary and secondary schools were also organized, so that patients with eye diseases could be treated.
Testimony
“COVID-19 did not prevent Oriental Mindoro’s Indigenous communities from accessing eye care. Because of The Fred Hollows Foundation’s continuous support, our health workers were equipped with protective gear, allowing them to continue rendering their services while observing local health protocols. Thank you for making optometry services accessible to our Indigenous Peoples.”
Drs Liza and Lizette Santos
