Roll Call
The technology group fighting global blindness, one employee at a time
Halma is well respected in the ophthalmic community. The global technology group made up of over 40 companies – five dedicated to eye health – prides itself on “growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day”. A statement it is certainly taking seriously. The company has announced it is offering free eye screenings to all 6,000 of its employees as part of its Gift of Sight campaign. The screenings will test for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, while some will measure for intraocular pressure and visual acuity.
“Blindness creates social dependency, reduces the workforce, shortens lives, and robs children of education” said Andrew Williams, Group Chief Executive, in a statement. “As companies within Halma produce the world’s leading eye health technology, we want to raise awareness of the importance of good eye health through regular screening, and at the same time, raise up to $200,000 for the Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) – an international NGO focused on curing blindness in underserved communities.”
Halma will contribute $25 to HCP for each employee who takes part in the eye screening, up to a combined total of $100,000. Employees will also have an opportunity to donate directly to HCP, which will be matched up to $100,000 by an individual donor. Each $25 donation will help the HCP provide cataract surgery to underserved populations that would otherwise go without care. With preventable blindness set to treble by 2050, affecting more than 115 million people, every dollar counts.
I’ve always loved telling stories. So much so, I decided to make a job of it. I finished a Masters in Magazine Journalism and spent three years working as a creative copywriter before itchy feet sent me (back)packing. It took seven months and 13 countries, but I’m now happily settled on The Ophthalmologist, where I’m busy getting stuck into all things eyeballs.
