Eye care specialists from South East Asia are now better equipped to reach people in need of surgery after learning new approaches to health promotion in the Northern Territory.

Eighteen ophthalmologists and eye health managers from Cambodia and Lao PDR recently travelled to Darwin and Katherine to witness first-hand how The Fred Hollows Foundation builds awareness of health services in Indigenous communities.
 
Informing communities of the available health services and how to access them is a vital aspect of The Foundation’s work in Australia and overseas. It is particularly important in remote regions where rugged terrain and limited services are barriers, preventing people from receiving treatment.

The eye experts were in Australia to undertake a fellowship program provided by The Foundation and funded by AusAID. After spending time learning about health promotion in Sydney they travelled to the Northern Territory for a cross-cultural experience.

The fellows visited health clinics and schools and met Indigenous elders. They learnt strategies to connect people in remote communities with the health services they need.

This was the first time that many of the health workers had visited Australia. The outcome for remote communities in South East Asia will be better access to eye care. Participants have now returned home and are working to implement the lessons learnt.