The achievent, which was announced at the foundation’s annual general meeting in Sydney on 24 May, included the treatment of more than eight million people worldwide for trachoma.Despite ongoing cuts to Australian aid, it was said the organisation had received strong support from the Australian public, which had driven the organisation’s record performance.Foundation chief executive officer Mr Brian Doolan said, Thanks to the generosity of the Australian people and our partners we continue to push the boundaries to restore sight, performing a record 890,066 eye operations and treatments last year. With continued growth across all areas of work, the foundation reported a record number of operations performed, surgeons and health workers trained, medical facilities built or renovated and donations from the Australian public. In 2015, the foundation was supported by almost 128,000 Australian donors who contributed about $52 million to continue Fred Hollows’ work.Founding director Ms Gabi Hollows said, If Fred was alive today, I know he would be blown away by the amount of work that has been done by the foundation. We have come a long way from meeting round the kitchen table, to working in 24 countries, transforming the lives of millions of people round the world. The heartfelt support of everyday Aussies is incredible and without it the foundation could not deliver life-changing treatment to those in need. We urge people to dig deep before the end of the financial year to help us keep Fred’s dream alive. Key results for 2015:
- More than eight million people across the world were treated with antibiotics for trachoma, an excruciatingly painful eye disease which can cause irreversible blindness
- More than 64,000 people were trained, from highly-skilled ophthalmologists to nurses, community health workers and teachers
- 890,066 eye operations and treatments were performed
- 110 medical facilities were built, renovated or upgraded
- $2.4 million worth of medical equipment was delivered.
- More than 3.7 million school children and community mbers received eye health education
- The foundation’s Indigenous Australia Program provided services to more than 15,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
