Dhaka: State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr M A Muhit announced that advanced eye care services will soon be available at the upazila level, as part of a government plan to enhance healthcare infrastructure. This initiative includes the introduction of separate outdoor, indoor, and operation theatre facilities for eye treatment at 151-bed full-fledged hospitals, currently under construction in each upazila.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Muhit shared these developments during the inauguration of the World Health Organization’s ‘WHO SPECS 2030 Initiative’ held at a hotel in the capital. He emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing the health sector and extending modern eye care services to grassroots levels. The government is currently converting upazila health complexes into 151-bed hospitals to support this initiative.
Dr Muhit further outlined the government’s ambitious National Eye Care Plan, which aims to conduct around 10 lakh cataract surgeries, distribute several crore pairs of spectacles, and provide treatment for diabetic retinopathy across the country. The new eye care facilities in approximately 500 upazilas are expected to reduce the need for residents to travel to district towns or the capital for treatment.
The Health State Minister also highlighted plans to strengthen primary healthcare by integrating primary eye care into the training of one lakh health workers soon to be recruited. Additionally, a significant project is underway to modernize and expand the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH).
Over the past six months, the Ministry of Health has collaborated with international and local organizations to enhance eye care services. As a result of these efforts, Bangladesh has been selected to host a global summit on eye care. The inauguration event also featured speeches from Acting Director of NIOH Professor Dr ASMM Qadir, WHO Regional Adviser Dr Tashi Tobgay, and WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Ahmed Jamshed Mohammad.