Eye health experts at a workshop on Tuesday called for increasing the overall investment in eye health to develop more eye surgeons and allied ophthalmic personnel in the country to achieve ‘Vision 2020 and Universal Eye Health’.
Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB) and International NGO (INGO) Forum working for eye health jointly organised the workshop at Spectra Convention Centre in the city.
Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Ministry Syed Monjurul Islam spoke at the inaugural session as the chief guest while Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Vice-President Prof Ava Hossain and Director General of Health Services Prof Deen Mohd Noorul Huq was present as special guests.
The chief guest said Bangladesh needs to focus more on eye health to be an efficient and skilled nation and requires identification of priorities in eye-care service to attain the Vision 2020 goals.
The secretary praised the INGOs, development organisations and others working for ensuring eye health services and urged them to forge greater partnership with the government in the field. He sought suggestions and technical supports from NGOs and development agencies apart from finance.
DG Health Noorul Huq said eye care services cost less in Bangladesh compared to other countries and urged the doctors and health facilities to cut cataract surgery charges so that more people, especially the poor, can afford the service.
He laid emphasis on cataract surgery training for ophthalmologists and urged the INGOs to develop training centres for that.
OSB President Prof Md Sharfuddin Ahmed and Secretary General Prof AHM Enayet Hussain, Line Director of National Eye Care Prof Golam Mostafa, INGO Chair and Sightsavers Bangladesh Country Director Khondoker Ariful Islam and Orbis International Country Director Dr Munir Ahmed also spoke at the workshop.
