'Gift of Sight' brings eye care to tea workers in Moulvibazar: 1,500 patients to get free cataract surgery

Standard Chartered Bangladesh has launched a special eye-care initiative called 'Gift of Sight' for tea workers in Kulaura upazila of Moulvibazar. The initiative will be implemented jointly with the Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital.

Under the initiative, more than 7,000 tea garden workers will receive eye-care services. Special emphasis will be given to detecting and treating conditions such as cataract, problems of the eye's tear drainage duct, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Of these patients, 1,500 will receive cataract surgery completely free of charge. Surgery for other eye conditions will also be performed as needed.

Special eye-care camps will be set up at various locations for cataract treatment. Alongside eye examinations and patient identification, these camps will provide necessary medicines. This will expand the scope for screening patients and providing primary eye care at the local level.

In addition, patients suffering from complex conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma will be referred to the Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital in Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Speaking about the initiative, Enamul Haque, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said that if an eye problem is not treated in time, a person's ability to work, to stand by the family and to lead a normal life can be affected.

He said, 'Through Gift of Sight we want to deliver timely, quality eye care to tea workers, so that it brings long-term and positive change to their lives. We believe that by creating access to better healthcare, a healthier and stronger society can be built.'

Brigadier General (retd) A K M Akhtruzzaman, chief executive officer of the Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital, said that through welfare initiatives like Gift of Sight, Standard Chartered Bangladesh is creating the opportunity to bring essential eye care to marginalised and disadvantaged communities.

He said such initiatives will play an important role in keeping tea workers healthy and in improving their quality of life and future prospects.

Access to specialised healthcare is limited in tea garden areas. As a result, many workers do not get the chance for regular eye examinations and treatment. Financial constraints and a lack of awareness about healthcare are also major barriers. It is in view of this reality that initiatives like Gift of Sight are expanding access to essential healthcare for neglected communities.