Spain to Aid Families: \u20ac100 Yearly for Children's Eyeglasses

Spain Announces \u20ac100 Annual Aid for Children's Eyeglasses MADRID, SPAIN \u2013 In a move to improve children's access to essential vision care, the Spanish government has announced a new program providing financial aid of up to \u20ac100 per year for minors under 16 who require glasses or contact lenses. The initiative, budgeted at \u20ac48 million, will begin in the next school year. Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez made the announcement during a visit to the General Council of Official Colleges of Opticians-Optometrists. "Today, we take another step to expand the benefits of our National Health System," S\u00e1nchez stated, "by launching a program of direct aid to minors under 16 with vision problems so they can acquire glasses or contact lenses for the next school year." The program will be processed as a royal decree and will channel funds directly to the opticians' council. The program aims to address the financial burden faced by some families in providing vision care for their children. According to the Opticians-Optometrists Council, a significant percentage of school failure cases are linked to vision impairments. This initiative ensures that a child's ability to see well in school is not dependent on their family's financial situation. The program's broad reach, encompassing all minors regardless of income or region, underscores the government's commitment to equitable access to healthcare.