This year’s NAIDOC theme is Heal Country, and in recognising this Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation is proud to announce a funding grant of $12,500 in 2021 to contribute to closing the gap in eye health to improve vision outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The prevalence of blindness and vision impairment in Indigenous Australians is three times that of non – Indigenous Australians.
Vision loss is the most common self-reported health complaint and is equal third (with trauma) in leading causes in the health gap for Indigenous Australians. Its impact on the individual, their family and community have evident repercussions.
Linda Boney, Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Sydney / Sydney Eye Hospital reports Aboriginal people are less likely to access health services and more likely to leave hospital before they are advised to, largely due to financial consideration.
“Family support is vital in keeping patients in hospital and accessing care and we’re thrilled to be working in partnership with the Foundation to help patients receive the care and specialist eye service they need,” Linda said.
The Foundation is committed to decreasing financial barriers for Aboriginal people needing ophthalmic care at Sydney / Sydney Eye Hospital and decreasing the number of discharges due to financial hardship.
According to Linda Fagan, Chief Executive Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, “We are proud to provide this grant and contribute to improving indigenous health outcomes.
“Our priority is to support the hospital and the fundamental role Auntie Linda plays in helping indigenous patients in seeking and receiving their full treatment, vital to improving health outcomes.”
“Our intention is to continue the grant beyond the first year and to grow our contribution to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients across Sydney and regional NSW.”
Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation is launching a fundraising campaign to help close the gap. To get involved visit our Community Fundraising page.
