CHATTOGRAM, May 22: A non-profitable ophthalmic surgery programme by Orbis has restored the eye-sight of children of the local community in Cox's Bazar.
With the support of Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), the programme was held under the QCV Expanding Eye Care in South East Bangladesh project on Tuesday.
Chattogram Eye Infirmary & Training Complex (CEITC) provided surgery-related assistance for the programme under supervision of Orbis's partner Baitush Sharaf Hospital in Cox's Bazar.
Eyes of five children were operated upon at the programme where they received necessary medicine and other services.
Two and a half-year-old Shahin and Mobin who were born with congenital cataract had surgery for the first time and have got the normal vision.
Like them, Jasi Moni (14), Antora Sarkar (8) and Reajul Karim (7) received surgical treatment and other medical supports.
Though there are primary eye care services in Cox's Bazar, there were no pediatric surgery facilities there, which prompted CEITC to provide services for the FDMNs children.
Dr Merajul Islam performed the surgeries at CETIC.
Prior to launching the surgery programme, Orbis's team, including optometrists, counsellors and volunteer, conducted eyesight tests at local primary schools in different areas of Cox's Bazar.
Then the children identified with eye problems were referred for surgery at CEITC.
It may be mentioned that the project has so far examined around 14,000 children from local community and provided more than 1,000 pairs of spectacles to them.
Besides, around 50,000 FDMNs including children were screened and provided with treatment.
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