Objectives: 

Educate target audiences on early identification of vision and eye health challenges across the life span, general child development, eye health screening, and how parents can support their child’s development.
Create advocacy  through collaboration of all key stakeholders across the public, private and civil society organizations to discuss the growing need for integration of eye health into comprehensive health services from community level to tertiary hospital level.
Showcase joint partnership in delivering wholistic eye care prevention, screening, diagnosis and provision of assistive technology.

Questions/key issues to be covered:

Eye and vision related challenges
Prevention and early screening of eye and vision

Speakers: 

Ms Caroline Mongale
Chief Director: Non-Communicable Diseases

Dr. Kibachio Joseph Mwangi
WHO South Africa Cluster Lead; Health Promotion & Disease prevention and Control Cluster & Medical Officer and Advisor -NCDs and Mental Health

Professor Tuwani Rasengane
•    Head of Optometry, University of the Freestate
•    Director of Optometric Services, Universitas Academic Hospital
Co-Chair of the World Health Organisation (WHO) SPECS2030 Workforce workstream

Dr Roland Höllhumer
•    Head of Corneal Unit: Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital
•    Medical Director of The Cornea Foundation Tissue Bank in Johannesburg

Dr Noxolo Gqada
Strategy lead, Hold My Hand Accelerator for Children and Teens

Ms Mita Pema-Keshaw 
•    Project Manager for SMALL PROJECTS FOUNDATION: Umbono Vision Program- Supported by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)
•    Optometrist
•    Sports Vision Consultant

Professor Thokozile Metsing
Public Health Director for the South African Optometry Association (SAOA)
Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg, Department of Optometry

Ms Ntsikie Loteni
General Secretary: National Albinism Task Force
Director: Transformation, University of Pretoria

Dr Busisiwe Ndlovu
Director: Chronic Diseases, Disabilities and Geriatrics