Ghashful Vision Center
Project Period: 2012 – Present
Location: Niamatpur, Sapahar, Noagaon Sadar Upazila of Naogaon District, and Nachole Upazila of Chapai Nawabganj District
Target Beneficiaries: Underprivileged people [42,905 patients served and 5,125 surgeries completed to date]
Donors: Ispahani-Islamia Eye Institute & Hospital, Lions Charitable Eye Hospital & Institute (Chattogram), and Ghashful self-funding
Background:
Approximately 65% of Bangladesh’s rural population lacks access to essential eye-care services, as most facilities are concentrated in urban areas. Addressing this gap and supporting the government’s mission to eliminate avoidable blindness, Ghashful established the Vision Centre with the support of ORBIS International and in collaboration with Ispahani-Islamia Eye Institute & Hospital. The center provides quality eye-care services to marginalized and remote communities, ensuring accessibility for those who would otherwise be unable to afford or reach such treatment.
Objective:
The Vision Centre aims to make standard eye treatment facilities available to poor and vulnerable populations in remote areas, offering services at minimal or no cost to improve eye health and prevent blindness.
Key Activities:
The Vision Centre organizes regular eye camps to identify patients requiring treatment and deliver services directly within their communities. Cataract operations are conducted to restore vision for patients who would otherwise suffer permanent blindness. The program also distributes spectacles, ensuring corrective care for refractive errors.
Training sessions on primary health care are provided to local health workers and community members to strengthen preventive measures and early detection of eye diseases. Awareness campaigns and motivational programs educate communities about eye health, preventive practices, and the importance of regular check-ups. Additionally, the center observes special days to highlight eye health issues and engage the broader community.
Through these integrated interventions, Ghashful’s Vision Centre has made significant strides in reducing preventable blindness and improving the quality of life for thousands of underserved people in rural Bangladesh.
