Dhaka: The National Voluntary Blood and Posthumous Eye Donation Day will be observed across Bangladesh tomorrow under the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Sandhani Central Council, and Sandhani National Eye Donation Society. This year's theme is "Roktodane Hoy Na Khoti, Chokh Chhuye Jak Chokher Jyoti" (Blood donation does no harm, Let one's eyes touch another's vision).
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 'Sandhani' is the pioneer of the voluntary blood and eye donation movement in Bangladesh. Alongside blood donation, the organization also functions as a human eye bank, encouraging people to pledge to donate their eyes after death so others may regain sight. On November 2, 1978, Sandhani organized its first voluntary blood donation programme at the DMCH Blood Bank. In 1995, to commemorate this milestone, the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia declared November 2 as National Voluntary Blood and Posthumous Eye Donation Day.
Dr. Mohammad Monir Hossain, General Secretary of Sandhani National Eye Donation Society, highlighted that blindness remains a significant health problem in Bangladesh. He noted that there are about 14 lakh blind people in the country, with around 500,000 being cornea-blind, and 40,000 more added each year. Sandhani National Eye Donation Society is the only institution responsible for collecting, preserving, and supplying corneas in the country.
Since its establishment in 1984, Sandhani National Eye Donation Society has collected 4,188 corneas and restored the eyesight of 3,525 individuals. The organization collects corneas from pledged donors and unclaimed deceased persons. All corneas transplanted in Bangladesh to date have been collected through Sandhani, and the concept of corneal transplantation was first introduced in the nation by this organization.
Dr. Monir Hossain emphasized the potential for Bangladesh to set a global example in corneal transplantation if the message of eye donation could be spread effectively among the country's 18 crore people.
In observance of the day, a procession will commence from the Central Shaheed Minar at 8am tomorrow, concluding at the Super Specialized Hospital of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU). The inaugural ceremony will be held at 9:00 am in the lecture hall of the hospital. Professor Dr. Md. Sayedur Rahman, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, will attend as the chief guest. The event will be chaired by Health Services Division and Medical Education and Family Welfare Division Secretary Md. Saidur Rahman, with a welcome address by Professor Dr. Md. Fazlul Haque Kashem, President of Sandhani National Eye Donation Society.