Credit: Peek
In an exciting new partnership, Peek is joining leading disability charity CBM to introduce new technologies that will make eye treatment more accessible in even the remotest areas of developing countries.
253 million people worldwide are visually impaired or blind. 80% could be helped with simple solutions like the provision of glasses or cataract surgery. But to find and treat many with sight loss, new technologies are needed.
Peek will work with CBM to develop tools that CBM can use with its partners in the field, to radically scale-up efforts to deliver quality, sustainable eye care in the world’s poorest countries. Watch this week’s Sky News Swipe (from 1’40) to see more.
CBM is an international Christian disability and development organisation, transforming the lives of disabled people in the world’s poorest communities. They work with disabled people to break down barriers by delivering practical support, improving policy and practice and inspiring people to act. Our vision is an inclusive world in which all people with disabilities enjoy their human rights and achieve their full potential.
To mark World Sight Day, Dr Andrew Bastawrous, CEO and co-founder of Peek, was interviewed on Sky News’ technology programme. Thanks to partnership with CBM, Peek plans to expand to cover a further 4 countries next year including Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Indonesia and Pakistan. Peek Vision’s current work in Kenya, Botswana and India is estimated to have helped nearly 200,000 people already.
Dr Andrew Bastawrous, Peek Vision’s CEO, says their focus is not just on devices and apps but on gathering information to put people in touch with the right services. “People working together solve blindness. Our technology is designed to help them,” he says.
Peek and CBM International will collaborate to provide partners with funding, training, capacity development, technical support resources and equipment. It’s hoped the 5-year partnership will lead to widespread adoption of this innovative technology in all CBM operating countries, and help bring solutions in CBM’s other areas of disability work as well as eye health.
Watch Sky News Swipe for a full report on technology that saves sight, and follow the discussion on Sky News Facebook.