EVANSTON, IL (August 7, 2017) — About 80 percent of the world’s 285 million visually impaired people have treatable eye diseases, according to the World Health Organization. Rotary and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) aim to promote eye health to underserved communities.
Under the one-year partnership signed today by Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko and Vice President of IAPB Victoria Sheffield, Rotary clubs can partner with IAPB member agencies to provide access to continuous eye care and blindness prevention services such as eye exams, cataract screenings and treatment, and diabetic eye examinations and follow-up services.
Victoria Sheffield, vice president of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and John Hewko, Rotary International general secretary, sign the partnership agreement.
Monika Lozinska/Rotary International
“IAPB champions the belief that in the 21st century no one should have to live with avoidable blindness or sight loss,” said Rotary General Secretary John Hewko. “Rotary also sees global health as a core priority. With IAPB’s expertise, and the power of Rotary’s volunteer network, we will strengthen our ability to transform the lives of millions of people who live with a visual impairment.”
“The impact of blindness prevention efforts is lasting and has a palpable effect at the local level. This service partnership agreement will help eye care agencies and hospitals tie-up with local Rotary clubs to deliver positive, lasting eye care to local communities” noted Victoria Sheffield, CEO, International Eye Foundation and Vice-President, IAPB. “Eye care work will greatly benefit from the passion, energy, and support of Rotary members worldwide”.
IAPB’s mission is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by bringing together governments, non-governmental agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of sustainable eye care programs.
Rotary members develop sustainable projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, and grow local economies. The recent partnership will help clubs further their efforts to provide disease prevention and treatment and maternal and child health programs worldwide. Over the past three years, nearly a quarter of a million people benefited from Rotary’s interventions for disease prevention and maternal and child health, supported by almost $100 million awarded through its grants programs.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
About International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is the coordinating membership organization leading international efforts in blindness prevention activities. IAPB’s mission is to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness and visual impairment by bringing together governments and non-governmental agencies to facilitate the planning, development and implementation of sustainable national eye care programs.
你願意如何死亡？每個人都希望擁有的臨終醫療自主權 Let’s Talk About Death With Dignity | 楊玉欣 Yu-Hsin Yang | TEDxTaipei
發佈日期：2016年11月23日 , 訂閱 870萬
如果有一天在萬不得已的情況下，你必須決定是否在病床上，完全失去所有的生活能力，毫無尊嚴地活著，你願意嗎？還是你寧願選擇安穩地離開呢？華人社會一向不願意談論關於死亡的議題，加以法令問題，許多重症病人沒有辦法選擇自己要的醫療方式，只能以痛苦不堪的方式活著。楊玉欣委員所推動的「病人自主權利法」，便是希望社會大眾應該加強對生命倫理的認知，進而保障病人善終權益，促進醫病關係和諧。
Imagine that one day when you have to face death, but you are in an unfortunate circumstance where you are perforated with tubes, hooked up to machines, and assaulted with drugs. Would you still want to continue treatment, or end your suffering by choosing to spend your final days on your own terms? In this poignant talk, former legislator Yu-Hsin Yang introduces us to a newly passed legislation in Taiwan called the Patient Autonomy Act, and why she’s a vocal patient rights advocate.
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楊玉欣十九歲時證實罹患「三好氏遠端肌肉無力症」，肌肉萎縮從肢體遠端步步進逼，直至內臟。罕見疾病困鎖了身體，卻拘綁不了靈魂，她出書、作詞、新聞播報、節目企畫主持、為弱勢族群代言發聲，從而長出堅韌的翅膀，成為罕病天使。2012年她擔任不分區立委，將友善環境、病人自主、生命教育等等具哲思高度的議題帶入立法院，要求活著的品質、死亡的尊嚴。她持續思考、實踐，並且始終相信，人間會有一個讓老、弱、病、殘也能喜樂享受的文明境界。
At the age of 19, Yu-Hsin Yang was diagnosed with Miyoshi Myopathy, a rare form of muscular dystrophy that starts in the calves and affects the rest of her arms and legs. Despite her physical disability, Yu-Hsin has never regarded herself as a handicapped person. In 2012, Yu-Hsin was selected as a congressional legislator. Her highly philosophical legal agendas included accessibility, patient rights, and life education brought a different angle to the Taiwan Legislature. With Yu-Hsin’s endless effort to explain the importance of creating such dialogue, she hopes that her actions can enable a world where the elderly, the weak, and the disabled can live comfortably.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx
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