This event is a part of a meaningful legacy that we believe traces back to the St John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem.
Historically, that hospital was established to treate eye disease like cataracts and it became a cornerstone of the humanitarian works of St John’s.
We see ourselves as inheriting that spirit, to help the elderly and orphans regain their sight by providing them with free glasses and access to care.
When the Deputy State Commander Mr Sim asked me, Pat, what do you think, can we help more people see clearly?
Like the eye hospital in Jerusalem is doing. I said, why not?
This is something we should do.
It’s consistent, meaningful way to help our community.
Our unit is committed in providing comprehensive, high quality and affordable ophthalmic care services through preventions, early screening, accurate diagnosis and effective treatments.
We aim to improve visual health and overall quality of life, especially for underserved and at-risk populations.
Organising and executing our services come with challenges.
One of the biggest is sustainability.
At the moment, we can only operate during weekends due to limited resources.
We hope to expand our services to weekdays in the near future. But this will require more volunteers.
The truth is, many children in orphanages and many elderly people in care homes, they can’t see clearly.
Not because they don’t want help, but because of money, transport and lack of awareness.
Some don’t even realise their vision is poor until it becomes a real problem.
And for those who don’t know, the cost of getting glasses or going for treatment is just too high. So what’s happened?
They live with blurry vision. They struggle at home. They struggle at working safely. They struggle at school.
Life becomes harder than it should be.
Our ophthalmic care unit is deeply committed to reaching underprivileged communities across Malaysia, especially those who have been left behind when it comes to basic eye care.
In many rural areas and low-income neighbourhoods, access to proper eye services is almost non-existent.
That’s why we offer free eye check-up right where they need it most, bringing care directly to the people who need it.
One group especially close to our heart are underprivileged and orphanage children.
Many of them struggle in school simply because they can’t see clearly.
We provide free prescription glasses so they can read, learn and thrive in the classroom.
Sometimes it’s not just their vision that’s improved, it’s their confidence and hope for the future.
Currently, the St John’s Ambulance Ophthalmic Care Unit is proudly collaborating with the Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital.
Together, we have negotiated a highly affordable package that enables us to provide cataract surgeries and other essential ophthalmic treatments for elderly individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford them.
For the elderly, especially those in senior homes, we also organise free cataract surgeries and other eye treatments.
So many of them live with blurry vision for years, not because it’s untreatable, but because they simply can’t afford the care.
With the help of voluntary optometrists, ophthalmologists and generous partner hospitals, we are able to help them see clearly again and often see the faces of their loved ones for the first time in years.
This initiative isn’t just about eyesight, it’s about restoring dignity, bringing back joy and giving people a second chance to see the beauty in life.
Another key challenge is reaching remote and underserved communities.
Many people in this area have limited awareness of eye health or face transportation barriers, making it difficult for them to access care.
To overcome these challenges, we actively seek support and collaboration.
We welcome partnerships with individuals, NGOs, government agencies and companies to strengthen our referral networks and expand our reach.
This strategy partnership reflects our commitment to upholding the legacy of the St John’s Hospital of Jerusalem, a tradition built on providing not only emergency relief but also long-term, life-changing medical support to those who need it most.
We began this ophthalmic care project in 2023, starting with the KSTU area in Selangor.
Since then, the initiative has expanded to include other key areas, such as KSTS, KPS and KSS, reflecting our commitment to bringing accessible eye care to more communities.
What started as a local effort has quickly gained momentum thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, healthcare professionals and supporting organisations.
But this is only the beginning. We envision growing this initiative beyond Selangor and to reach more states, more areas and even more diverse communities across Malaysia.
Looking ahead, we have set a clear target in Selangor.
Over the next two years, we plan to reach 140 elderly homes and orphanages, offering free eye screenings and prescription glasses to underserved communities.
Our goal is to deliver over 5,000 pairs of glasses, giving back to society and carrying forward the mission of St John Ambulance and the Order of St John’s, to serve humanity with compassion and care, bringing vision and hope to those in need.
We warmly welcome the collaboration of other organisations, community leaders and institutions who share our vision.
Together, we can build a wider network of care, support and impact.
Thank you for supporting our mission.
The objectives are to:
– Provide comprehensive eye care services, including vision screening, eye disease diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation guidance.
– Raise public awareness on eye health, conducting health talks, outreach programs and free screenings to promote knowledge of eye care.
– Promote early detections and preventions of eye diseases, encouraging regular eye examinations to reduce the incidence of conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
– Support underprivileged communities, offering charitable programs, mobile eye care services and affordable eyewear for those in need.
– Foster community engagement and collaborations, partnering with schools, NGOs and corporate bodies to create community-based eye health initiatives.
That’s why we want to make a change to bring eye care to those who need it the most, consistently and with heart.
Thank you. Terima Kasih. 谢谢 St John. Thank you St John. Thank you St John. Thank you to St John. Terima Kasih
