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On April 30, The Soaltee Hotel, served as the venue for an engaging and impactful session titled “Policies in Action: Progress Lessons from South-East Asia.” This session, part of the “Accelerate Action” thematic stream, brought together an incredible group of speakers-MoH representatives, public health experts, and non-state eye health leaders-who are all actively working to translate global resolutions and commitment on eye health into national and regional eye health policies. The session was attended by over 60 participants representing national governments, international NGOs, academic institutions, and regional organizations committed to strengthening eye health in the region.
The session aimed to showcase real-world examples of how national eye health policies are being implemented across South-East Asia and to explore practical strategies for bridging the gap between policy formulation and on-the-ground implementation. I had the privilege of leading that session.
Moderated by Dr. Rohit C. Khanna (IAPB SEA Regional Chair) and Ms. Elizabeth Kurian (Mission for Vision), the session featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and panelists who shared their countries’ experiences and lessons learned in operationalizing eye health policies.
Dr. Rohit Khanna provided an overview of the South-East Asia Regional Action Plan, highlighting key achievements and the collective priorities moving forward. Dr. Krishna Prasad Paudel (Ministry of Health, Nepal) discussed Nepal’s National Eye Health Plan, with a particular emphasis on strengthening public-private partnerships and advocacy mechanisms. Ms. Resti Dwi Hasriani (Ministry of Health, Indonesia) outlined Indonesia’s roadmap for advancing eye health, focusing on nationwide implementation strategies. Dr. Praveen Vashist (AIIMS, India) shared India’s experience with integrating eye health into the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, particularly in addressing the needs of the elderly population. Dr. Dechen Wangmo (JDWNRH, Bhutan) presented Bhutan’s innovative approach to integrating newborn eye screening with immunization services, demonstrating how existing platforms can be leveraged to expand access.
The second half of the session featured a panel discussion exploring challenges in policy implementation and potential ways forward. Panelists from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Maldives and NGOs including Operation Eyesight Universal and Seva Foundation offered a rich and diverse perspective. From workforce shortages and funding gaps to the need for more inclusive policy design and community engagement, the conversation was constructive and forward-looking.
The key takeaways:
The session wrapped up with closing remarks and reflections from all panelists underscoring the importance of continued cross-country collaboration and shared learning. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and many participants expressed how useful it was to hear about actual implementation stories, not just policy frameworks. It reminded us that while the challenges are real, the progress is tangible—and when we come together to learn from each other, the way forward feels a lot more promising.
We’re truly grateful to all the speakers, panelists, moderators, and attendees who made this session an inspiring experience. We look forward to keeping the momentum going and continuing to push to make eye health a priority across all corners of South-East Asia.
