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MORE AFFORDABLE GLASSES FOR ABORIGINAL VICTORIANS Thursday, 14 October 2010


MORE AFFORDABLE GLASSES FOR ABORIGINAL VICTORIANS

From the Minister for Health

Thursday, 14 October 2010
Aboriginal Victorians will be able to buy high-quality spectacle frames and lens for just $10 through an $180,000 Brumby Labor Government subsidy scheme.

Visiting the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy, Health Minister Daniel Andrews today marked World Sight Day by officially launching the Government’s Spectacle Subsidy Scheme.

“Our Government is committed to closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians,” Mr Andrews said.

“That is why we are providing $180,000 over three years to the Australian College of Optometry to make glasses more affordable for Aboriginal Victorians.”

Mr Andrews said the subsidy would allow Aboriginal patients to choose from a range of frames together with the prescribed lens for just $10 per pair.

“This funding will provide about 1800 pairs of glasses over three years and the Australian College of Optometry will administer the scheme due to their experience and extensive eye care program to Aboriginal communities in metropolitan and rural Victoria,” he said.

Member for Richmond Richard Wynne welcomed the scheme.

“The Spectacle Subsidy Scheme will be offered to all Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, as well as at community events and facilities run by the College Optometrists,” Mr Wynne said.

“All Aboriginal patients will be eligible for the scheme regardless of pensioner card or healthcare card entitlements.”

The Scheme has recently been introduced to five Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations including the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in Fitzroy, Lake Tyers Health and Children’s Services Association, Moogji Aboriginal Council in Orbost, Western Suburbs Indigenous Gathering Pace and Bunurong Health Service.

Mr Andrews said blindness was 6.2 times more prevalent in Indigenous communities than in non-Indigenous and vision impairment is 2.8 times as high. Blinding cataracts are 12 times more common and 35 per cent of Indigenous adults have never had an eye examination.

“The Brumby Labor Government has committed $57.97 million to deliver the largest and most significant package of health programs to overcome Aboriginal health disadvantage in Victoria’s history,” he said.

“The Closing the Gap plan focuses on improving health outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians by tackling chronic diseases and unhealthy lifestyles that lead to poor health.

“As part of Victoria’s Closing the Gap Plan, $1 million has been allocated to improve eye health amongst Victoria’s Aboriginal population.”




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