Regional Launch of the SPECS 2030 Initiative in the Americas

Washington D.C., 16 October 2025 - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) convened a regional webinar in a high-level dialogue among health authorities, technical experts, and country representatives for the official launch of the WHO SPECS 2030 Initiative (Services, Personnel, Education, Costs, and Surveillance for refractive error interventions) in the Region of the Americas. The webinar aimed to introduce the regional context on eye health, share global and national experiences, and outline next steps for implementing SPECS 2030 at the country level across the Region.

The SPECS 2030 initiative, launched by WHO in May 2024, aims to accelerate progress toward global targets on effective refractive error coverage, adopted by the 74^th World Health Assembly. Specifically, the global target is a 40-percentage point increase in effective coverage of refractive error by 2030. The SPECS framework provides a mechanism for coordinated multi-sectoral action, involving ministries, professional societies, and NGOs.

In the Region of the Americas, around 21% of people with refractive errors have an unmet need for eyeglasses, largely due to economic or logistical barriers. The Region also counts on skilled professionals and primary health care (PHC) infrastructure, though the distribution of optometrists and ophthalmologists remains uneven.

Dr. James Fitzgerald, Director of the Health Systems and Services Department at PAHO/WHO, emphasized that at the current pace, universal access to eyeglasses will not be achieved before the end of the century and called for urgent acceleration.

"Improving vision is not only about health, but also an investment in human capital and development. Correcting a child's vision allows them to succeed in school. Helping an adult access glasses or surgery keeps them in the workforce and supporting their family. Restoring sight for an older person preserves their dignity and social participation. In every case, eye health multiplies opportunities for individuals and communities alike and contributes directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," he stated.

The SPECS initiative targets five key areas with the aim to improve refractive error coverage:

• Integrating eye health into PHC
• Investing in workforce training
• Expanding affordable access to spectacles
• Strengthening surveillance systems
• Raising public awareness to prevent irreversible vision loss

The webinar showcased Paraguay's experience as the first country in the Americas to launch SPECS 2030, illustrating practical steps for implementation. Paraguay launched its national process in June 2025 with support from PAHO and WHO. Paraguay has a long-standing commitment to eye health, beginning with the first Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) in the Americas in 1999, followed by the creation of the National Vision Committee and National Eye Health Program between 2002 and 2008, and the country's first National Eye Health Plan in 2009. Implementation of SPECS 2030 in Paraguay is organized around five technical groups aligned with the initiative's pillars, addressing workforce training, financing, education, access to lenses, and monitoring.

Dr. Stuart Keel, Advisor on Eye and Vision Care, WHO, outlined a five-step approach for countries initiating SPECS activities:

1. Political Commitment: Recognition of refractive error as a national priority.
2. Situation Analysis: Use of the WHO tools ECSAT (Eye Care Situation Analysis Tool) and RESAT (Refractive Error Situation Analysis Tool).
3. Stakeholder Convening: Inclusion of ministries of health and education, professional associations, NGOs, and private sector.
4. Development of a Work Plan: Priorities, targets, and M&E framework integrated into broader national plans (e.g., NCD strategies).
5. Implementation and Review: Bi-annual progress meetings to monitor advances.

Member States are encouraged to request PAHO/WHO technical support for national roadmaps, join the Global SPECS Network for advocacy and knowledge exchange, and maintain momentum through multi-sectoral coordination within universal health coverage frameworks.