Dhaka:Expanding medical services alone is insufficient to ensure eye health, according to Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain. He emphasized that coordinated awareness programs and preventive healthcare initiatives involving multiple sectors are essential to achieve this goal.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the minister made these remarks as the chief guest at a workshop titled 'Review and Finalisation of the Multisectoral Action Plan for Eye Health in Bangladesh' held at Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka. He called for coordinated efforts by the health sector and all relevant stakeholders.
The minister highlighted the importance of vigilance in health matters, noting the interconnectedness of eye health with other diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. He pointed out that diabetes, in particular, poses risks to eye health and overall wellbeing.
Minister Sakhawat stressed that the government alone cannot ensure healthcare for everyone and emphasized the need for raising awareness across society. He also mentioned that cataract surgery remains unaffordable for many and urged physicians to collaborate in strengthening disease prevention, early detection, and eye care services.
He advocated for the establishment of effective platforms involving specialists from different medical fields to promote public awareness, prevent diseases, and ensure coordinated healthcare services. Such initiatives, he added, would assist in the early identification of serious health risks, including eye and kidney complications from diabetes and strokes linked to high blood pressure.
The workshop was chaired by A N M Moinul Islam, Additional Secretary of the Health Services Division.