Project Overview

IR's health centre and mobile clinics in Rangpur provide low cost eye treatment and cataract operations to the poor. Patients are seen by IR's ophthalmologist and are provided with subsidised medicines. Patients with serious problems are referred to specialist hospitals.

As well as eye treatment, the project raises awareness on eye care.

Project Background

The project operates throughout Rangpur District. Meetings are organised in rural areas where people with eye problems can have checkups through a patient screening programme. Primary eye treatment and cataract operations are available to those who need it.

The project is implemented in partnership with a local specialised aid agency.

It is expected that during the project period 44,400 people will have their eyes checked and 2,200 people will recover from blindness through cataract surgery.

Project Objectives

The overall objective is to reduce blindness and ensure healthy eyesight for the people of northern part of Bangladesh.  

Project Activities

• Organise patient screening programmes
• Raise awareness on proper eye care
• Resister patients
• Treat eye patients
• Identify cataract sufferers
• Undertake eye operations for cataract patients
• Networking with Government agencies and charities

Beneficiaries

The project benefits 18,855 people, primarily eye patients. Their family members are the indirect beneficiaries as they are likely to be affected economically due to the blindness of the patients. Economically solvent people are also eligible for treatment.