Ukhia ( Cox’s Bazar) : A ‘Vision Center’ or primary eye care center has started operation at Ukhia Health Complex to offer modern eye care services at the doorsteps of the people of Cox’s Bazar district on Monday, says a press release..
Local people now can avail themselves of modern primary eye care services at the center without going to district town, which is very far from the upazila headquarters.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Orbis International Bangladesh established the Vision Center with the financial assistance from Qatar Fund for Development. Bautush Sharaf Eye Hospital in Cox’s Bazar will be operating it.
DGHS Additional Director General Prof AHM Enayet Hussain, who is also the Bangladesh chapter Chair of International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), inaugurated the center as the chief guest.
Bangladesh Primary Health Care former Director Dr Khaleda Islam, IAPB Regional Chair for South Asia Dr Taraprasad Das, Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Vice-president Prof Dr Ava Hossain, Ukhia Upazila Health Complex Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Abdul Mannan, Orbis International Bangladesh Country Director Dr Munir Ahmed, Director of Operations Mohammed Alauddin and Project Manager Md Iqbal Hossain, Fred Hollows Foundation Country Director Dr Zareen Khair and other officials from DGHS and Baitush Sharaf Hospital were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, AHM Enayet said local people of Ukhia and Teknaf as well as Rohingya people living in the areas can avail themselves of advance eye care services easily from the center. Highlighting the government’s successes in eye care, he said the Vision Center is a part of the collaboration DGHS has with international development agencies.
Orbis International Country Director Munir Ahmed said the Vision Center at Ukhia is one of the 200 such centers the government’s National Eye Care has planned.
Dr Abdul Mannan said the center will play a key role in providing modern eye care services to the people of Cox’s Bazar, particularly the women.
