Vision Screening for Underserved Populations in Malaysia

WHO is seeking for a qualified, eligible and competent proposer for the  Vision screening for underserved populations in Malaysia .

Vision impairments are significant public health concerns in Malaysia, affecting the quality of life and productivity of those impacted. An estimated 4 million people in Malaysia experience some form of vision loss, including 160,000 who are blind. The primary causes of vision impairment include uncorrected refractive errors and cataracts. Uncorrected refractive errors account for 48% of low vision cases, while cataracts contribute to 36%.

Visual impairment not only affects children’s learning and adults’ work performance, but also increases long-term healthcare costs when conditions such as cataracts and diabetic retinopathy are left undetected or untreated. Early screening and timely provision of corrective lenses or treatment can substantially reduce this avoidable burden.

Following the global SPECS 2030 initiative, Malaysia has started the MySPECS, which aims to increase effective refractive error coverage. This project will contribute to the MySPECS initiative and will be conducted at several communities.

Purpose of this contract is to support WHO Country Office in Malaysia’s in providing vision screening services in selected communities in different states across Malaysia. This will include detection of vision impairments, facilitation of referral, prescription and provision of eyeglasses (total of 400 pairs, to be procured by the contractual partner).

The contractual partner is expected to conduct vision screening, referral and provision of eyeglasses for underserved populations in four selected sites in Malaysia:

1. Kuala Selangor, Selangor - children, adults and elderly
2. Sibuti, Sarawak - children, adults and elderly
3. Nibong Tebal, Penang - children, adults and elderly
4. Alternative Learning Center (location to be selected) – refugee children and their families

Please use WHO Bid Reference 2025/WCO/MYS/001/281147 on all email submissions and send it to wproungm@who.int and wpmyswr@who.int on or before 20 October 2025.