Eight hundred twenty-seven underprivileged people regained their lost sight through free cataract surgeries sponsored by Eye Care Program - MSS donors and Manabik Shahajya Sangstha (MSS). These cataract blind people were identified at the 21 free eye camps organized in the rural areas of the country. To eliminate preventable blindness among the underserved, these free eye screening camps were organized in Dinajpur, Chapainawabganj, Lalmonirhat, Thakurgaon, Natore, Gaibandha, Rajshahi, Kurigram, and Kushtiadistricts throughout the month of June 2022.
In addition, under the organization’s School Sight Testing Program (SSTP), free eye care services were provided to 1670students of six (06) schools in the Dinajpur and Thakurgaon districts.
At these free eye camps, comprehensive eye care services were provided to 4835 underserved people by qualified doctors, technicians, and modern eye screening equipment. Cataract was identified in 1075 patients. Prescriptions were issued to the patients. Free spectacles (1403) were given out. The blood pressure and diabetes of 1200 patients were checked. Masks were provided to 50 unmasked patients. In addition, around3000 basic eye care awareness flyers and posters were distributed among the patients.
The surgeries were performed at ECP’s partner hospitals - Shafiuddin Ahmed Foundation, Thakurgaon, Rangpur Eye Hospital, Rangpur, Makka Eye Hospital, Rajshahi, and Prof. M. A. Matin Memorial BNSB Base Eye Hospital, Sirajganj.
“Considering rural peoples’ limited access to eye care services, ECP-MSS expanded its services geographically to bring comprehensive eye care services for them,” said MSS President Feroz M. Hassan. “In order to advance the goals of the ECP, a variety of eye care services are undertaken since its inception,” he added.
