Singapore Women's Association (SWA) in collaboration with other
voluntary bodies: the National Safety Council, the Association for the
Visually Handicapped, NTUC and the Singapore National Eye Centre
founded the Singapore VisionCare Programme(SVP). Mr Yeo Cheow Tong,
then Acting Minister for Health, launched the Singapore VisionCare
Programme on 22nd April 1990. Since then, many of our members have
assiduously sacrificed their weekends to run this programme.
Our objectives
Public education
Public education on the prevention of blindness, eye care, and
available treatments is provided, aiming to raise awareness
about the importance of regular eye check-ups.
Community service
To deliver eye care services to the community for early
detection and prevention of any eye disorders, thus improving
vision and quality of life.
Outreach
Detect eye problems in individuals over 40 by organising free
screenings with volunteer doctors from SNEC, NUH, Tan Tock
Seng, and private practices.
Vision Care Through Community Collaboration
Since its inception in 1990, the SVP Programme has been conducted in
collaboration with voluntary bodies such as the National Safety Council,
NTUC, the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped (SAVH),
NUH, the National Eye Centre, and private doctors. This well‑received
initiative seeks to reach out to the elderly, raising awareness on the
importance of eye care and the prevention of eye diseases. The programme
was co‑chaired by Anny Leow and chaired by Dr Khoo Chong Yew, who sadly
passed away on November 16, 2017, at the age of 78. Following SWA EXCO’s
approval, Dr Stephanie Young has been appointed as the Chairperson, with
Anny Leow continuing as the Co‑Chairperson. On average, SWA conducts 10
screenings annually, reaching over 1,000 senior citizens across Old
Folks’ Homes, Community Centres, and Community Clubs. In addition,
Project I Care, supported by NWCDC, has provided eye screenings for the
homes over the past decade. We have screened more than 36,000 seniors
year-to-date and still counting.
