The World Health Organisation and World Bank have included eye health as a measurable indicator for reporting progress on achieving Universal Health Coverage, which is promising for the future investment in global eye health.
In the recently launched Tracking Universal Health Coverage annual report, the WHO and World Bank have recommended that cataract surgery coverage, neglected tropical diseases (onchocerciasis and blinding trachoma) and diabetes be included in the small basket of treatments that are monitored to measure progress against the new health related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The new SDGs which are replacing the Millennium Development Goals later this year will guide policy and funding for the next 15 years.
The inclusion of these indicators is good news for the sector as governments will need to show specific progress in eye health going forward in reporting against the SDG goals.