DHAKA, July 30, (v7n) – State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. MA Muhit today said eye health is not merely a healthcare issue but is closely linked to education, employment, economic productivity, and overall national development.

"The government is committed to ensuring quality eye care services for all, as every citizen has the right to access quality eye healthcare," the health state minister, also an international public health and eye care specialist, said while speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled "National Dialogue on Eye Health Beyond Health," organised by The Fred Hollows Foundation at a city hotel today.

Recalling the progress made in Bangladesh's eye care sector since independence in 1971, he highly appreciated the contributions of physicians, development partners, NGOs, and other stakeholders. Dr. Muhit said the country still faces challenges in expanding eye care services due to the growing elderly population, the rising occurrence of diabetes, and limited access in rural and remote areas. He underscored the need for ensuring timely eye care services for women, older people, persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities.

Highlighting the importance of evidence-based planning, Dr. Muhit said the government is planning to conduct a large-scale rapid assessment survey to evaluate the overall eye health situation across the country, with findings to help formulate the next five-year action plan. Noting that diabetic retinopathy and visual impairment are likely to emerge as major public health challenges, he said the government has already taken initiatives to address the issues and is working to eliminate cataract-related blindness across the country within the next five years. He also said Bangladesh aims to strengthen its global leadership in eye care through its commitment to co-hosting a global summit on the issue.

The programme also marked the formal launch of the "Barishal Vision 2030: Cataract Elimination Programme." Among others, CEO of The Fred Hollows Foundation Ross Piper, Acting Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital Prof Dr ASMM Kadir, and Country Director of Orbis International Dr Munir Ahmed spoke. Representatives from development partners, UN agencies, government and private organisations, academia, and civil society also attended.

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