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WHO SPECS 2030
WORKSHOP HELD IN ASSAM
ncorrected refractive error is the primary event included the inaugural meeting of the
cause of vision impairment among both Global SPECS Network. This initiative is designed
Uchildren and adults. According to the to assist Member States in achieving the global
World Health Organization (WHO), only 36% target through work plans that address critical
of individuals globally with distance vision challenges in refractive error care.
impairment caused by refractive error have
access to appropriate corrective spectacles. The SPECS framework is built around
Furthermore, over 800 million people suffer five strategic pillars, aligning with the letters
from near vision impairment (e.g., presbyopia) of "SPECS":
that could be effectively addressed with S: Improve access to refractive Services.
reading glasses.
P: Build capacity of Personnel to deliver
In recognition of this significant unmet refractive services.
need, and given the availability of a highly cost-
effective solution in the form of spectacles, WHO E: Enhance population Education about
Member States endorsed the first-ever global refractive error.
target for refractive error at the Seventy-fourth C: Reduce the Cost of refractive services.
World Health Assembly in 2021. The target aims
to achieve a 40-percentage point increase in S: Strengthen Surveillance and research.
effective coverage of refractive error by 2030. WORKSHOP ON SPECS 2030 IN INDIA
To support this goal, WHO launched On November 21-22, 2024, WHO organised a
the SPECS 2030 initiative in May 2024 at its strategic planning workshop in Guwahati, Assam.
headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The launch The event was attended by the WHO country
76 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | NOV-DEC 2024 REPORT
