Key Messages: Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, Chairperson, BRAC and Dr. Caroline Harper, Chief Executive, Sightsavers

Founder and Chairperson of BRAC, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, explains why this partnership with Sightsavers is so important.

“It is an exciting time for us at BRAC as we join forces with Sightsavers in launching Vision Bangladesh. Our target is an ambitious but achievable ask - to eliminate cataract blindness completely in the northeastern region of Sylhet by 2014 and in Bangladesh by 2020.

I urge you to take action by supporting this ground-breaking programme. Together we can transform the lives of tens of thousands of poor Bangladeshi families.”

Sir Fazle Hasan Abed


Message from the Chief Executive of Sightsavers

“With a lack of trained ophthalmologists (particularly in rural areas), a backlog of 650,000 blinding cataract cases and a further 150,000 new cases occurring every year, the need to increase our work in order to reach more poor people, has never been greater.

We need to promote sustainable services effectively by investing in the training of local surgeons and health care workers, funding community based awareness raising sessions, building and equipping new eye care facilities and supplying vital equipment to existing hospitals.  The impact of such capacity-building cannot be underestimated and will ensure that local people are supported for the longer-term.

The success of this new exciting venture relies completely upon securing the vital funds to get the programme underway. This can only be achieved through your support. Please donate generously to help us make Vision Bangladesh a reality.

Thank you

Dr Caroline Harper OBE
Chief Executive, Sightsavers