Sunday, July 19, 2020

Dr James Sunter Muecke AM: Let's 'declare war on type 2 diabetes'



As 2020 Australian of the Year, Dr Muecke wants to challenge our perception of sugar and the impact it has in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Bohemian Kenyan trained Dr James Muecke ... - Media Dragon





Dr James Muecke AM

Since starting his medical career in Kenya, Dr Muecke has been passionate about fighting blindness. His focus now is the leading cause of blindness in adults – type 2 diabetes – a spiralling epidemic that's impacting nearly one-in-ten Australians. It's the fastest growing cause of vision loss in Aboriginal people and the sixth-biggest killer in this country. Dr Muecke co-founded ‘Vision Myanmar’ at the South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology in 2000, which has developed and operated eye health and blindness initiatives in Myanmar. Inspired by this program's success, he co-founded ‘Sight For All’, a social impact organisation aiming to create a world where everyone can see. With 80% of world blindness avoidable – and almost 90% in poor countries – Dr Muecke treats blindness as a human rights issue.






Eye surgeon and blindness prevention pioneer
2020 Australian of the Year

Ophthalmologist Dr James Muecke AM is passionate about fighting blindness.

He is a co-founder of Sight For All, a charity that aims to eliminate blindness through research, education, infrastructure, and the training of colleagues in partner countries.

James believes blindness is a human rights issue and is working to create a world where everyone can see.


A statue of ornately carved from black wood, with 'HAWAII' in large letters at the base. - click to view larger image

Kahuna Akamai statue

James found this statue in Honolulu when he was 11 years old. After discovering it was the Hawaiian god of wisdom, he knew he had to have it.