New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern visiting oDocs booth at the pre-World Expo. Credit: oDocs

oDocs showcased its teleophthalmology platform and portable handheld fundus camera at the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise pre-World Expo in Auckland in the lead up to the 2020 Dubai World Expo. Delayed due to the pandemic the World Expo will now run from October 2021 to 31 March 2022.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was present to support the companies selected to represent New Zealand on the world stage and volunteered to have a retinal scan by oDocs’ Dr Ben O’Keeffe. “I was pretty awestruck. It was the first time I’d met the prime minister in person but I jumped at the opportunity. She was extremely lovely and was the perfect patient! Definitely a memorable moment for the oDocs team,” he said.

oDocs’ co-founder and CEO Dr Sheng Chiong Hong said, “While delighted with our high-profile visit from the prime minister, the team was encouraged that presenting our New Zealand-designed solutions – which offer a range of quality, affordable and integrated tools for eyecare professionals and enthusiasts alike – are having a positive impact in achieving our mission to end preventable blindness globally.”