Bangladesh aims to eliminate cataract-related blindness within the next four to five years through a coordinated national roadmap involving the government, private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit said today.
He also said high-tech eye care, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based services, should be made accessible to people in remote and underprivileged communities as a basic right, according to a health ministry press release.
The state minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a stakeholder consultation workshop titled “Advanced Eye Care in Bangladesh: Action Plan for Reducing Visual Impairment and Preventing Blindness” at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
Photo: Collected“Significant and commendable work is underway in all three segments of Bangladesh’s eye care sector -- the government, private sector and NGOs. However, we do not have an integrated and common reporting system. That is why we are taking a national initiative,” he said.
“The sector will not change overnight, so we are moving forward with a five-year perspective plan,” said Muhit, who is also an ophthalmology expert.
He said the existing eye care facilities and planning at district hospitals would be reassessed during the first year of the initiative, followed by necessary measures to improve services.
If required, new personnel would be recruited, and efforts would be made to strengthen the capacity of district-level hospitals, he added.
The state minister said the government would take the initiative to provide eye care to people of all ages.
Acting Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital ASMM Quadir also spoke at the event.
Representatives of the ARK Foundation and the World Health Organization presented the keynote paper.
The open discussion featured senior ophthalmologists, academics, experienced doctors working at district and peripheral levels, and representatives of the Bangladesh National Society for the Blind and international organisations.
