Desk Report:
Age, poverty, and medical expenses have led to many people living with blurred vision for years. For some, the faces of their loved ones were blurry, while others had almost lost their eyesight. Bashundhara Eye Hospital and Research Institute’s free eye treatment program has brought hope to the lives of those helpless people who could not afford treatment.
Successful surgeries were completed on 36 patients in this humanitarian initiative recently held in Dhaka. Of these, 30 underwent cataract surgery and six underwent trachoma (eye lump) surgery. The hospital authorities bore all expenses for the patients’ tests, surgeries, medicines, transportation, accommodation, and food.
In addition to treatment, doctors and service workers provided round-the-clock support to the patients. Many had tears of joy in their eyes as they were able to see the world clearly again after a long time, and smiles of new life on their faces.
This initiative, jointly run by Bashundhara Group and Visioncare Foundation, is providing quality eye care services to the poor and helpless people of different parts of the country.
This initiative has also changed the life of 65-year-old Shukkur Mia, a resident of Hatua village in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria. His eyesight had been gradually getting blurry for almost two years. He used to run an autorickshaw to support his family, but his eyesight had deteriorated, making it almost impossible to work.
When the campaign for free cataract surgery started in the area in 2025, he participated in an eye treatment camp. The test revealed cataracts in both eyes. Last year, he underwent a successful operation on his right eye. This time, the surgery was also completed on his left eye.
Shukkur Mia, who was emotional after regaining sight in his eyes, said, “May Allah bless you. He is doing all my treatment. All my food and drink are free. I have come here, I have not spent a single rupee.”
Similarly, Abdul Mannan Mia, who worked in a jute mill for 52 years, also started losing his eyesight with age. Later, cataracts hindered his normal movement and daily activities. Now, having received the opportunity for free surgery, he is waiting to see the world clearly again.
Not only Shukkur Mia or Abdul Mannan Mia, but many other helpless people including Shahid Mia, Shafiqul Mia have received medical services through this program.
As part of this program, news of the free eye treatment camp was spread through miking and publicity in villages. Later, in the medical camp organized jointly by Bashundhara Eye Hospital and Research Institute and Kasba Maa Amena Gafur Charitable Hospital, expert doctors examined the patients and selected suitable people for surgery.
After selecting the patients in the medical camp held on July 7, the selected 36 people were brought to Dhaka on July 29. Bashundhara Eye Hospital and Research Institute took full responsibility for their necessary tests, surgeries, medicines, accommodation and other medical expenses.
The next day, on July 30, cataract operations of 30 people and trigeminal surgery of six people were successfully completed under the supervision of expert ophthalmologists.
Assistant Manager (Human Resources and Administration) of Bashundhara Eye Hospital and Research Institute, Masudur Rahman, said that since the establishment of the hospital, regular free eye treatment programs have been conducted for the poor and helpless people. Recently, a similar initiative has been implemented in Comilla and such humanitarian programs will continue in different parts of the country in the future.
He also said that elderly patients who need surgery have been selected with priority. And those who do not need surgery have been given primary treatment and necessary advice. Every step of the patients’ treatment—tests, surgeries, medicines, accommodation and food—has been ensured completely free of charge.
