Education has always been at the core of the Queensland Eye Institute’s mission. In recent years that commitment has extended beyond Australia’s borders to our near neighbours in the Pacific.
The Queensland Eye Institute plays a leading role managing the Global Eye Health Network convened by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO). QEI Executive Director and CEO Professor Mark Radford is a member of the related RANZCO committee and travelled to Apia, Samoa, for the 2025 Pacific Eye Care Society meeting on 26-27 June to support the committee’s work.
QEI believes investing in our neighbours is a commitment to shared humanity and social responsibility. It also contributes to regional and global health security. But the benefits flow both ways, as building healthcare capacity creates opportunities for mutual learning, mentoring and support.
In addition to networking and mentorship offered to eye health clinicians in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu, the Global Eye Health Committee (GEHC) offers a structure to make global engagement by Australian ophthalmologists easier. Ophthalmologists can contribute through teaching, developing online learning modules, remote support, project partnerships or short-term clinical work.
Together with RANZCO Global Eye Health (GEH) Committee Chair Prof Nitin Verma, and RANZCO Head of Policy and Advocacy Gerhard Schlenther, Professor Mark Radford also met with the Australian High Commission in Samoa, Mr Will Robinson, during his recent visit. High Commissioner Robinson welcomed RANZCO’s engagement in Samoa, acknowledging its efforts and approach.
They RANZCO contingent also met with Aiono Prof Alec Ekeroma, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health in Samoa, and staff.
