The government is also finalizing an integrated ‘National Eye Care Plan’ targeting nearly one million cataract surgeries, the distribution of eyeglasses to several crore people and expanded treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhit disclosed the plans while speaking as the chief guest at the official launch of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘SPECS 2030 Initiative’ at the Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Tuesday (August 18).
With the event, Bangladesh formally launched the WHO SPECS 2030 Initiative.
Dr. Muhit said the government is giving the health sector the highest priority and is committed to making modern eye care available at the grassroots level.
Work is underway to transform upazila health complexes into full-fledged 151-bed hospitals. Around 500 upazilas will eventually receive improved eye-care facilities, he said, reducing the need for people in rural areas to travel to district towns or Dhaka for treatment.
Primary eye care to be included in health worker training
Outlining the government’s plans for primary eye care, the state minister said ‘primary eye care’ would be made a mandatory component of the training programme for around 100,000 health workers currently going through the government recruitment process.
He also said existing infrastructure at district hospitals would be better coordinated to strengthen regular cataract surgery and refraction services in at least half of the country’s districts in the near future.
Expansion of National Institute of Ophthalmology planned
Dr. Muhit said a major project has been undertaken to modernize and expand the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH), and implementation is expected to begin soon.
He added that the government plans to utilize the experience of public, private and NGO organizations to showcase Bangladesh’s achievements in eye care at the global level.
The health state minister said the Ministry of Health has been coordinating regularly with international and local organizations over the past six months to improve and expand eye-care services.
He said high-level government efforts had also secured a major commitment to host a global summit in Bangladesh.
The government aims to bring about a significant positive transformation in the country’s eye-care sector within the next three to four years, he added.
The event was also addressed by Professor Dr. A.S.M.M. Kadir, acting director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital; Dr. Tashi Tobgay, Regional Adviser of WHO; and Dr. Ahmed Jamshed Mohammad, WHO Representative in Bangladesh, among other national and international representatives.
