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Following is the speech of the Honourable Peter Wong, AM, MLC NSW Parliament. He spoke on 21/05/2003 about Vietnam Vision that was preparing for the first trip.

VIETNAM VISION PROJECT
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The Hon. Dr PETER WONG [10.30 p.m.]:

I take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the medical team soon to embark on the Vietnam Vision Project, which will deliver medical and professional expertise as well as hands-on cataract treatment in Vietnam. I first became involved in vision restoration projects in 1996 when, as then chairperson of the Australian Chinese Charity Foundation, I led a team of 12 medical professionals on the first China Vision mission to operate on cataract patients in Xian City. The success of the project led to three further missions to Mei Zhou City, Moaming City and Li Zhou. In addition to providing successful medical treatment, the mission's outcomes also included developing medical exchange and education in ophthalmology, providing opportunities for local specialists to participate in exchange programs, and promoting Australian medicine, technologies and advanced techniques overseas.

Similar outcomes are anticipated for Vietnam Vision. A 2001 report from the Vietnam health ministry revealed that 463,552 people suffered from bilateral blindness while 889,276 suffered blindness in one eye. Blindness in those aged over 50 is largely the result of cataracts, and a substantial number of people suffer its effects in both eyes. Despite local and overseas efforts, cataract blindness persists because the majority of sufferers are poor and/or rural dwellers. Vietnam Vision endeavours to make free cataract surgery and primary health care available to a number of rural poor. The project is anticipated to last three years, with the first mission to take place between 22 and 29 June 2003.

Mission one will travel to southern Vietnam to work in Vinh Long and Ben Tre. It is expected that up to 300 patients will be examined and treated under the combined supervision of Australian doctors and a local team of volunteer surgeons. The team from Australia will include 10 doctors and additional support staff. Concerned project participants are: Dr Phuoc Vo, Dr Chris Brown, Dr Son Chau Vo, Dr Loan Lam, Dr Hong Le, Dr Nathan Ly, Dr Tan Vu, Dr Xuyen Tran, Dr Oanh Nguyen, Ms Huong Duong, Dr Sang Phan and Ms Ngoc Han. This a most worthy cause and a concern that has been made familiar to Australia through the efforts of Dr Fred Hollows.

As an adviser of Vietnam Vision, I applaud the support of professionals, staff, volunteers and organisations—both past and present—who have advanced the project to where it is today. They include Qantas, pharmaceutical companies, the Vietnamese Australian Buddhist Assistance Trust and the Australian Chinese Charity Foundation. Vietnam Vision also received much advice and support from Mr Quang Luu, AO, the head of SBS radio, as well as Madam President, the Hon. Dr Meredith Burgmann. Australia possesses an immense reservoir of talent and resources that can make a positive contribution to developing countries. This project is just one example of the many efforts presently occurring. I thank the many Australians for their continued support in these very meaningful causes.