The government will invest $130 million over the next five years to improve eye health services across Bangladesh and bring eye care closer to people’s doorsteps, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit has said.
He made the comments while addressing a discussion held in Dhaka on Thursday on the occasion of World Sight Day 2026, jointly organized by the INGO Forum and the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital at the CIRDAP Conference Room. Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital Dr Syed Mehbub Ul Kadir chaired the event.
Dr Muhit said the investment would focus on ensuring access to eye care for people in every district and remote area of the country. The funds would be used to train eye care professionals, expand eye care infrastructure and facilities, and ensure necessary treatment services, he said.
He added that the government would undertake initiatives to provide one million free cataract operations and distribute 10 million pairs of spectacles across the country. Around 20 million people would also be brought under primary eye care services, he noted.
The state minister said schoolchildren would also be included in the program. Initiatives have been taken to conduct vision screening among students, provide spectacles where necessary, and ensure other required eye care services, he said.
Providing quality and accessible eye care services at people’s doorsteps is one of the government’s priorities, Dr Muhit said, adding that the coverage of eye health services would be further expanded to achieve the goal.
Among others, IAPB Bangladesh Country Chair and Orbis International Country Director Dr Munir Ahmed, OSB Secretary General Prof Md Zinnu Rain, and OSB President Dr Md Tauhidur Rahman attended the event. The discussion session was moderated by Helen Keller International Program Head Dr Afsana Habib Shiuly.
Why it matters
This $130 million investment directly targets public health infrastructure gaps, aiming to deliver millions of treatments and vision screenings nationwide.