The goal is to improve equitable access to affordable, quality and community-based eye health services, while building a sustainable last-mile model that partners and public systems can adopt and scale. That vision came to life at an outreach in Mengo Bulange, where a trained Village Health Team member worked hand in hand with the Optometrist to provide reading glasses to community members.
Screening Beyond the Eye
The outreach reached over 50 clients, screening for hypertension, diabetes and eye conditions. This integrated approach means that when someone comes for an eye check, they also receive screening for the silent conditions that can affect their vision and overall health.
A trained VHT works hand in hand with the Optometrist to provide reading glasses this is what the last mile model looks like in practice.
Optometrist, Santé Initiative Uganda
The Last Mile Model
What makes this model different is that it is built on the people already trusted by their communities. By building the capacity of Village Health Teams and Community Health Workers to deliver community-based eye health services, we are creating a pathway to care that does not end with a single outreach. It is a model designed to last one that partners and public systems can adopt and scale.
Because equitable access to eye care starts with bringing services closer to where people live, work and gather.
