SBMCH Community Eye Center: Bringing eye care to the Far South

Monowara Begum, 55, a resident of Hajariganj village under Char Fasson upazila in Bhola, has been suffering from eye complications for a long time and went to the upazila health complex.

She said she received a 30-minute consultation via teleconference at the health complex.

“Doctors at the health complex listened to me as I told them my symptoms, then consulted with ophthalmologists at Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal through the computer and prescribed medication. It went really well and was very convenient. as I did not need to travel to Barishal,” she said.

Like her, many other people in Bhola district are benefiting from the outreach initiative of SBMCH Eye Care Center for remote areas in southern districts.

“At least 20-30 patients come every day, most of them suffering from cataracts and various complications. Some have poor eyesight. Patients requiring cataract surgery and other severe complications are referred to SBMCH, while the rest receive treatment without having to travel. to Barishal,” said Sonia Akhter, senior nurse at the health complex.

“Between January and October this year, 355 patients were referred from Char Fasson Upazila Health Complex to Barishal,” she added.

Suman Talukder, an IT staff at SMCH’s Community Eye Centre, said the center was launched in 2022 at the National Eye Care hospital.

“Every month, around 100-120 patients from 20 upazilas of Barishal division come to SBMCH for treatment, of which 90 per cent are for cataract surgery. At least 10 to 25 surgeries are performed here every week. treatment through telemedicine services at the upazila level through the centre’s outreach initiative,” he said.

Dr. Kawsar of SBMCHs ophthalmology department said, SBMCH serves as the base of the Eye Care Centre. There are three doctors here who provide telemedicine services to about 200 to 250 patients daily.

“A cataract surgery costs Tk 7,000-10,000 if done externally. If done with a phaco machine, it costs Tk 20-30 thousand. Under the project, patients can get free treatment,” he added.

Dr. Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Associate Professor, National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, said the National Eye Care Project was started in 2018 and was later extended for another two years in 2022 with the aim of providing primary eye care to patients with lack of funding. resources in remote and isolated areas where there are usually fewer ophthalmologists than needed.

Dr. Shafiqul Islam, head of the Department of Ophthalmology at SBMCH, said that more than 70,000 patients from 20 upazilas in the southern region have received medical facilities and medicines every year under this project.