Dhaka:State Minister for Road Transport and Highways Division and Ministry of Railways, Habibur Rashid, emphasized the importance of regular vision screening and healthcare for professional drivers during the issuance and renewal of driving licenses. This initiative aims to ensure safer roads by confirming that drivers have clear vision, which is critical for the safety of countless passengers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the state minister made these remarks as the chief guest at the National Road Safety Day 2026 program organized by VisionSpring Bangladesh at Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel under the 'See to Be Safe' initiative. He highlighted the need for driver health checks, alongside infrastructure development, law enforcement, and traffic management, as crucial components of road safety, which directly impacts public safety and the country's economic progress.
The event included a presentation on VisionSpring's mission and current projects, a session emphasizing the importance of clear vision for road safety, and a panel discussion titled 'Promoting Road Safety Through Better Vision.' Representatives from various transport organizations participated in the panel, facilitated by Shahroz Jalil, project director of VisionSpring.
Misha Mahjabeen, managing director of VisionSpring Bangladesh, noted that over 20 million people in Bangladesh suffer from vision problems due to a lack of access to necessary eyeglasses, including a significant number of drivers. VisionSpring's 'See to Be Safe' program has screened over 30,000 drivers and transport-sector workers in Bangladesh and provided eyeglasses to more than 24,000 individuals as of September 2026. The program aims to screen 50,000 bus and truck drivers and provide 30,000 pairs of eyeglasses within two years.
Prominent attendees included Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammed Ziaul Haque, Bangladesh Road Transport Owners-Workers Coordination Council Chief Coordinator Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, and representatives from key transport-sector organizations. VisionSpring, a global social enterprise, works to expand access to affordable eyeglasses.