The Bangladesh government has announced a plan to perform one million cataract surgeries free of cost to restore eyesight for people suffering from blindness or visual impairment due to untreated cataracts. The initiative was revealed by State Minister for Health Dr. M A Muhith after a meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Peter Holland, Chief Executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), at the Cabinet Division in Dhaka on Monday.

According to the minister, around one million people in the country are visually impaired or blind solely because they have not received cataract surgery. The government aims to provide free surgeries for poor and underprivileged citizens, while others will receive treatment at a minimal cost. Patients will also receive necessary lenses free of charge after surgery. The initiative is part of the government’s priority to restore vision and improve eye health nationwide.

A global conference on eye health improvement is scheduled for November, co-hosted by Bangladesh, where Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will participate. Peter Holland praised the government’s efforts and pledged continued international cooperation in the sector.