Our Solution: To eliminate Cataract Blindness by 2020

In January 2010, we began the first phase of this programme with screenings and operations in the north of the country in a division called Sylhet, home to 14 million people with strong links to the British-Bangladeshi community.

By tackling the issues that prevent poorer communities from seeking and accessing the eye care treatment they need, Vision Bangladesh will eliminate cataract blindness and contribute to the alleviation of poverty for the people it serves.

The design and implementation of the programme will be in accordance with Bangladesh’s National Eye Care plan. This means that wherever possible, Vision Bangladesh will use existing eye health facilities, creating easily accessible, comprehensive services for all who need it. 

Tackling the lack of education and awareness by:

• training existing health workers and volunteers in eye health awareness
• producing  informative materials and organising more community based eye health meetings

Tackling the lack of free services and under-utilisation of existing services by:

• increasing free screening, transportation to hospitals, treatment and follow-up for those who cannot afford the costs;
• lobbying the Government of Bangladesh to develop eye care facilities;

Tackling the lack of trained ophthalmologists in rural areas by

• Investing in human resources for the long term.

Vision Bangladesh will place significant emphasis on developing appropriate eye health care workforces, which includes funding the training of 100 ophthalmologists and other key eye care personnel.

BRAC and Sightsavers will be working in partnership with other local organisations that are carefully selected based on their track record of delivering high quality services and performance results and their credibility within the communities they serve. We are currently working with the Voluntary Association for Rural Development (VARD) in Sunamgonj and Sylhet; the Bangladesh National Society for the Blind (BNSB) in Maulvibazar and the Jalalabad Eye Care Society in Sylhet.

Together we are working to secure the funds necessary to eliminate cataract blindness in Sylhet and then roll out the programme nationally.