30,000 people in Barishal Division develop cataracts each year: Urgent call for public-private coordination to implement 'Vision 2030'
Barishal Bureau
Every year, about 30,000 people in Barisal division are affected by cataracts. However, in this division of 10 million people, there is no senior or junior consultant in the eye department in any government hospital except Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital. As a result, the common people are facing extreme suffering in getting eye services.
The speakers shared this information at a discussion on 'Barisal Vision 2030' organized at the auditorium of BRAC Learning Center Barisal on Sunday at 11:30 am.
The meeting titled 'Eliminating the number of cataract patients in Barishal Division: Experience Sharing and Discussion' was organized by the Office of the Barishal Divisional Health Director. The Fred Hollows Foundation Bangladesh supported this.
As the chief guest, Divisional Health Director Dr. Md. Refayetul Haider said, "We need to work in coordination with government institutions to provide cataract-free eye care to the marginalized population of Barisal division. This service should be expanded to all the remaining districts of the division outside Barguna and Jhalakathi districts." At this time, he highlighted the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone use by children and urged to increase 'vision screening' in all eye care centers. He assured all kinds of support from the government if NGOs or development organizations face any problem while working in the health department.
Musabbir Alam, Cluster Director for South Asia and the Middle East of The Fred Hollows Foundation, said that they have been working in eye care in Barisal Division since 2012. With the support of this foundation, about 60,000 cataract patients in the division have been successfully operated on by 2025. He mentioned that by 2030, the cataract removal program will be fully expanded to the remaining 5 districts of the division except Barisal district.
Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and Hospital Principal Professor Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain and Head of the Eye Department Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam spoke as special guests at the event. Civil surgeons of various districts of the division, Upazila Medical Officers, government officials and representatives of private organizations were present at the event.
