Dr Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Orbis Bangladesh, has been appointed Honorary Country Chair for Bangladesh by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

The appointment recognises Dr Ahmed’s longstanding contributions to blindness prevention and the advancement of eye health in Bangladesh. In addition to his role as Country Director of Orbis International Bangladesh, he will work closely with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, I/NGO hospitals, IAPB member eye hospitals and other key eye health stakeholders to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, development partners, professional associations and eye health organisations. His leadership will support coordinated national efforts toward universal access to quality eye care.

IAPB is the global alliance for eye health, bringing together more than 250 organisations worldwide, including non-governmental organisations, professional bodies, research institutions, hospitals, development agencies and private sector partners. The organisation advocates for eye health as a critical public health and development priority and works to ensure that quality eye care is accessible to all.

A physician with advanced training in public health, tropical medicine and social development, Dr Ahmed has led Orbis International Bangladesh since 2012. Over the past 14 years, he has guided the organisation’s work to strengthen Bangladesh’s eye health system through strategic partnerships, innovation and capacity building.

Under his leadership, Orbis Bangladesh has contributed to several nationally significant achievements, including the expansion of vision centres, strengthening of paediatric eye care services, implementation of school eye health programmes, promotion of advanced technology and innovative approach to address Retinopathy of Prematurity and Diabetic Retinopathy including skilled training in human resources for eye health, and expansion of integrated eye care services in humanitarian context - Rohingya refuges in Cox’s Bazar.

He has also played an influential role in advocating for the integration of eye care into government primary health care services at Upazila Health Complexes, as well as the inclusion of key eye health priorities such as cataract, childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, corneal diseases and Retinopathy of Prematurity in Bangladesh’s National Eye Care Strategic Plan.

His advocacy has further supported planning and operationalisation of decentralised district-level eye care service delivery and stronger referral pathways toward universal eye health coverage by 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr Ahmed is widely recognised within the global eye health community and is a recipient of the IAPB Vision Excellence Award, which honours his outstanding contribution to blindness prevention and the promotion of sustainable eye care services.