Who we work with
The Fred Hollows Foundation partners with institutional groups worldwide to transform eye health systems, achieving sustainable impact through innovation and collaboration.
ATscale
DFAT (Australian Aid)
END Fund
Specsavers
USAID
Our impact
The Foundation's work has led to significant policy changes and sustainable outcomes in numerous countries. In Vietnam, our efforts have integrated eye health into government health guidelines, trained thousands of health professionals, and supported the establishment of eye units in provincial hospitals. Additionally, by embedding eye health into school curriculums, we ensure that children receive necessary vision care from an early age, setting a foundation for better educational and life outcomes.
Our achievements in Vietnam
Vietnam is living proof our ability to develop an entire eye health system, enabling countries to do the same for themselves. We’re now scaling our learning and skills to achieve similar outcomes in more places, tailored to their local circumstances.
Vietnam government adopted the National Strategy for the Prevention of Blindness
Successfully advocated for eye treatments to be covered by national health insurance
Advocated for many eye health policies and guides developed and endorsed by the Ministry of Health
Our capability
The Fred Hollows Foundation is committed to a strategic, multi-layered approach in eye health and international development. Operating in more than 25 countries, we form partnerships with governments to enhance existing systems by designing and implementing programs that align with national strategies and plans. Our work with ministries of health, education, social affairs, and women’s affairs aims to improve children's vision, educational outcomes, and overall quality of life.
32+ years of global experience
25+ countries actively supported
AUD $100 million in annual revenue
400 + employees
Leveraging global experience
With a vast network of experts and partners worldwide, The Foundation brings global experience and best practices to each project. We collaborate with international aid organizations and leverage sustainable financing to maximise the impact of our initiatives. This global perspective enables us to implement cutting-edge solutions that are tailored for local communities, ensuring that our work is both innovative and relevant.
Building sustainable systems
Sustainability is at the core of our mission. We are dedicated to transforming eye health systems from the ground up, ensuring that they can stand independently and serve communities for generations. Our programs are co-developed with government ministries and public sector providers, progressing through stages from basic services to comprehensive solutions, and ultimately aiming for universal eye health coverage. Our work is underpinned by our health system building blocks.
Sustainable Development Goals
Our work is deeply aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health, education, and gender equity.
The flow-on impacts of The Foundation’s work go far beyond good health, cutting across many of the 17 SDGs, most notably:
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 17: Revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Advocacy in action
Our sustained advocacy efforts have been instrumental in advancing global commitments to eye health. In 2020, the 73rd World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to integrate eye health into universal health coverage, and in 2021, a UN General Assembly resolution committed 193 countries to ensuring full access to eye care services. These milestones reflect our dedication to making eye health a global priority and contributing to the broader SDG agenda.
What we are doing is revolutionary, something the big health organizations aren’t doing. They send eye doctors. What we are doing is giving these people the chance to help themselves. We are giving them independence.
