The National Audit Office has disclosed that the National Eye Bank exhibited a stronger emphasis on meeting the demand of foreign countries compared to fulfilling domestic requirements. Over the last three years (2020-2022), the National Eye Bank supplied between 83% and 94% of the demand for contact lenses from foreign countries.
In contrast, in 2022, public hospitals fulfilled 59% of the demand for contact lenses, while private hospitals covered 55% of the demand. Shockingly, the audit findings revealed that foreign countries received 94% of the contact lens demand.
The audit report recommended prioritizing local demand in the distribution of contact lenses. The management of the National Health Development Fund, responding to the audit, acknowledged that the National Eye Bank operates with limited staff and assured a focus on addressing local needs.
