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Friday | October 09, 2026 | Dhaka

Eye care to reach remote areas under $130m govt plan

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:01 AM, 09 October 2026

The government will invest $130 million over the next five years to improve eye health and expand eye care services to people in every district and remote area of Bangladesh, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit said on Thursday.

“The funds will be invested over the next five years to ensure access to eye care services for people in every district and remote area of the country,” he said.

The state minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organised at the CIRDAP conference room in the city on the occasion of World Sight Day 2026, according to a press release.

The INGOs Forum and the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) jointly organised the discussion, with NIOH Director Dr Syeed Mehbub Ul Kadir in the chair.

Dr Muhit said the investment would support training for ophthalmologists and help expand infrastructure and facilities for eye care services, while ensuring necessary treatment.

As part of the initiative, the government will undertake programmes to provide 10 lakh free cataract surgeries and distribute 1 crore pairs of spectacles across the country.

Around 2 crore people will also be brought under primary eye care services, he said.

The state minister said school students across the country would also be included in the programme.
Initiatives have been taken to conduct vision screening of students and provide necessary spectacles and other required eye care services, he added.

Dr Muhit said bringing quality and accessible eye care services to people’s doorsteps was one of the government’s key priorities.

The coverage of eye health services would be further expanded to achieve this goal, he said.
Country Chair of the Bangladesh Chapter of IAPB and Country Director of Orbis International Dr Munir Ahmed, Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB) President Dr Md Tauhidur Rahman and Secretary General Professor Md Zinnu Rain (Newton) were also present at the event.

Helen Keller International Programme Head Dr Afsana Habib Sheuly moderated the discussion.