PETALING JAYA, 16 December 2008 – Scope International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered Plc., United Kingdom, made its third contribution of RM20,000 to the Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital (THONEH) today to fund corrective eye surgery and treatment for underprivileged Malaysians. In total, since December 2007, Scope International Malaysia has donated RM60,000 to the Hospital to restore sight to blind children and teenagers

RM40,000 of the contribution has been used by THONEH to fund corneal transplants for two previously blind teenagers, who are now able to see and lead normal lives, as well as purchase a state-of-the-art Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking machine. The Swiss-made UV-X ™ System slows down and even halts the thinning of corneas. Due to the availability of this machine, Malaysians who are early sufferers of Keratoconus will no longer require corneal transplants, which cost thousands of ringgit. So far, 28 children and teenagers have benefited from this treatment at THONEH since the purchase of the system. Within the next 5 years, no less than 250 blind or partially-blind Malaysians will have benefited from the machine.

Goh See Wee, Head of the International Software Centre Malaysia, the software development arm of Scope International Malaysia, said,

“It is a tragedy to live permanently in a world of darkness. The blind patients we have helped are young and still have a lifetime ahead of them. The exuberant joy they experience when they are able to see again and live normal lives is worth every small cent that Scope International has contributed to the community.” He added, “Next year, Scope International has set plans in place to extend our support to the blind in other hospitals across the country. “

Scope International Malaysia’s Keratoconus initiative is part of Standard Chartered’s global initiative ‘Seeing Is Believing – A New Vision’ which seeks to invest USD 20 million in sustainable eye-care services for 20 million people across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.