Orbis has teamed up with Roche Pharma Vietnam in a two-year partnership to prevent avoidable vision loss and improve the long-term health outcomes of diabetic patients in the country.<\/p>\n
The partnership aims to address the increasing prevalence of diabetic eye conditions in Vietnam. <\/p>\n
Around seven million people in the country have diabetes, with many at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.<\/p>\n
Roche Pharma Vietnam will provide Orbis with funding, technical expertise, guidance and local health system knowledge, in order to tackle the situation over the next two years.<\/p>\n
The Vietnam Eye Health Programme will implement services to improve long-term health outcomes for diabetic patients, and is expected to reach around 27,000 patients who are currently at risk of avoidable blindness. <\/p>\n
The work will take place across seven Orbis partner hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.<\/p>\n
The partnership \u201cwill establish a comprehensive and sustainable model for diabetic eye care services, ensuring that patients receive seamless care from diagnosis to treatment, led by a holistic and patient-centred approach,\u201d Orbis said.<\/p>\n
It will provide training to healthcare professionals and equip hospitals with advanced diagnostic tools.<\/p>\n
Artificial intelligence-assisted screening through Orbis\u2019s Cybersight programme will support early detection, referral and treatment, the charity said.<\/p>\n
Real world data to help local authorities develop technical guidelines in diabetic retinopathy management will also be provided as part of the programme.<\/p>\n
A \u201ccutting edge partnership\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebecca Cronin, chief executive of Orbis UK, said: \u201cWe are delighted to launch this cutting-edge partnership with Orbis Vietnam and Roche. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen livelihoods depend on seeing clearly, the risk of undiagnosed or untreated vision problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, can have a devastating impact on communities and families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cronin added: \u201cThis cross-country partnership will address a rising problem affecting millions of people, ensuring that more communities in Vietnam have access to the life-changing eye care services they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ngoc Pham, country director for Orbis Vietnam, noted that more than two million people in the country currently live with blindness and vision loss, and that around 90% of these cases are avoidable. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe need for this partnership has never been more urgent,\u201d Pham said, adding: \u201cOur two-year partnership with Roche will help to eliminate the growing stigma and social exclusion created by a lack of understanding of diabetic eye conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lennor Carrillo, general manager at Roche Pharma Vietnam, said that the project will assist in \u201cco-creating solutions that will significantly enhance long-term health outcomes for diabetic patients and the healthcare system across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roche has three decades of experience working in Vietnam, Carrillo said. <\/p>\n
Carrillo added that there is scope for the programme to be expanded further throughout Vietnam after its initial two-year duration. <\/p>\n