WHO and Universal Postal Union Launch Global Initiative to Expand Access to Eye Care Through Postal Networks
In a groundbreaking move to address the global burden of vision impairment, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a strategic partnership with the Universal Postal Union (UPU). This initiative aims to harness the power of postal networks to improve access to essential eye care services, particularly affordable near-vision glasses, in underserved communities around the world.
The collaboration, formalized in an agreement signed at WHO’s headquarters in Geneva, outlines a joint plan of action spanning from 2025 to 2027. This innovative partnership marks a new chapter in global health delivery, emphasizing the potential of non-traditional service platforms—such as national postal systems—as vehicles for public health outreach.
An Urgent Global Need for Vision Correction
Presbyopia, an age-related eye condition that reduces the ability to see objects up close, is at the heart of this collaborative effort. It affects more than 800 million people globally, and the majority of those affected reside in low- and middle-income countries where access to eye care is limited. Presbyopia typically begins to impact individuals in their 40s and progresses with age. While it can be easily corrected with inexpensive reading glasses, the reality for many is stark: basic vision correction remains out of reach due to cost, availability, or lack of awareness.
“Uncorrected presbyopia continues to impair the quality of life for hundreds of millions, particularly in communities that lack access to primary eye care,” said Dr. Stuart Keel, Technical Officer in WHO’s Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation and Disability Department. “This collaboration represents an innovative approach to addressing that burden by leveraging a trusted, ubiquitous resource: the postal network.”
Dr. Keel emphasized that by combining WHO’s public health expertise with the widespread infrastructure of postal services, the organizations hope to bring eye care services closer to where people live, work, and go about their daily lives.
The Power of the Postal Network
Postal networks are among the most extensive logistical systems in the world. With approximately 680,000 post offices globally, including over 150,000 operated by India Post alone, these networks possess a unique ability to penetrate even the most remote areas. In many communities, especially in rural and hard-to-reach regions, the local post office is often a hub of activity and trusted community presence.
Recognizing this unique advantage, WHO and UPU have designed the initiative not only to distribute eyeglasses but also to embed eye health awareness into postal operations. “Postal networks have a special role in communities, beyond handling communication and business,” said Susan C. Alexander, Programme Manager with UPU’s Sustainability Services division. “Through this collaboration, we’re opening doors to improve the health and quality of life for both postal employees and the people they serve.”
The initiative will target two primary goals:
- Distribution of Near-Vision Glasses: Utilizing postal services to deliver affordable, ready-made reading glasses to individuals with presbyopia.
- Community Awareness and Health Promotion: Educating postal workers and the communities they serve about eye health and the importance of vision care.
Alignment with SPECS 2030: A Broader Vision for Eye Health
This partnership strongly supports the WHO’s SPECS 2030 initiative, launched in May 2024. SPECS 2030 is a global roadmap designed to help countries improve access to eye care services through sustainable, system-based approaches. The framework is built upon five strategic pillars:
- Service Design – Developing adaptable models for eye care delivery that integrate into existing systems.
- Personnel Development – Training local staff, including non-healthcare workers, to perform basic vision screenings.
- Public Education – Raising awareness about the causes and consequences of vision impairment.
- Costing – Ensuring the affordability of eye care products, including eyeglasses.
- Surveillance and Research – Monitoring outcomes to guide future investments and strategies.
The WHO-UPU collaboration will support the design, pilot, and evaluation of models that use postal systems to distribute eyeglasses, in alignment with SPECS 2030’s overarching goals.
From Pilot to Global Expansion: Launching in India
The first tangible step in the initiative will take place in India, where the state of Assam has been selected as the site of the pilot project. In partnership with India Post, the pilot will be implemented across five postal service locations in the region. Assam was selected for its diverse population, mixed urban-rural landscape, and the government’s strong interest in innovative health outreach strategies.
As part of the pilot, postal workers will receive basic training in vision screening techniques, allowing them to assess individuals for signs of near-vision impairment. Once identified, individuals will be offered low-cost, ready-made reading glasses, directly through the post office.
The project will also feature a community education component, including public events and informational campaigns designed to increase awareness of presbyopia and the importance of regular vision care.
According to Dr. Keel, “This collaboration is about reimagining how care reaches people—getting beyond regular health spaces and connecting with individuals in their own environments. It’s a model rooted in proximity, trust, and practicality.”
A Broader Public Health Role for Postal Services
This initiative is also a key component of UPU’s Post4Health platform, which explores how national postal systems can contribute to public health goals. The Post4Health initiative envisions a future in which post offices not only deliver mail but also serve as vital nodes in the health infrastructure—distributing medications, health supplies, and now, eyeglasses.
By integrating eye health into this broader health logistics strategy, WHO and UPU hope to create a replicable framework that countries can adopt based on their own postal capacities and health needs.
Susan C. Alexander noted that this effort could pave the way for further innovations. “This is just the beginning. The same model we’re using to deliver glasses could eventually be expanded to distribute other health products or services—from diabetes supplies to blood pressure monitors.”
Vision for the Future
The implications of this partnership go beyond the correction of a common visual condition. It represents a significant shift in thinking about how public health services can be delivered—by breaking traditional boundaries and forging unexpected alliances.
More broadly, the initiative reflects WHO’s commitment to universal health coverage—ensuring that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without financial hardship. For WHO, eye care is not a luxury—it’s a fundamental component of health and well-being.
If successful, the model could be scaled to multiple countries and used to address other neglected areas of health where cost-effective interventions exist but delivery mechanisms are lacking.
A Clearer World Within Reach
As WHO and the Universal Postal Union move forward with the implementation of this partnership, the hope is clear: to give millions of people the simple, life-enhancing gift of better vision. For many, a basic pair of reading glasses can mean the difference between employment and joblessness, education and illiteracy, independence and dependence.
In a world where so much innovation is directed toward high-tech health solutions, this initiative is a powerful reminder that sometimes the most impactful ideas are also the simplest.
By delivering low-cost glasses through an existing network that already connects with billions of people, WHO and UPU are not only improving vision—they’re reshaping the way global health can be seen, delivered, and experienced.
