In a recent humanitarian drive conducted in Dhaka, 36 patients underwent successful surgeries. Among them, 30 patients received cataract operations, and six underwent pterygium surgeries. All associated expenses—including preliminary medical tests, surgeries, medications, food, lodging, and transport—were fully covered by the hospital authorities.
Alongside the medical treatment, doctors and healthcare staff provided round-the-clock support. Seeing the world clearly after so long, many patients shed tears of joy, while smiles of a renewed life lit up their faces.
This initiative, jointly run by Bashundhara Group and Vision Care Foundation, aims to deliver high-quality eye care directly to poor and marginalized people across various regions of the country.
The life of 65-year-old Shukur Mia, a resident of Hatuya village in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria, was completely transformed by this effort. For nearly two years, his vision had been progressively deteriorating. Once an auto-rickshaw driver supporting his family, he found working nearly impossible due to his failing sight.
When a campaign for free cataract surgeries was announced in his area in 2025, he attended the eye care camp. Tests revealed cataracts in both of his eyes. Last year, a successful surgery was performed on his right eye, and recently, the operation on his left eye was also completed.
Overwhelmed with emotion upon regaining his vision, Shukur Mia expressed his gratitude: "May Allah bless them. They covered all my treatment; even my meals were free. I came here and didn't have to spend a single penny."
Similarly, Abdul Mannan Mia, who worked in a jute mill for 52 years, began losing his eyesight with advancing age. As cataracts developed, his daily mobility and routine tasks were severely disrupted. Having received the free surgery, he is now looking forward to seeing the world clearly once again.
Beyond Shukur Mia and Abdul Mannan Mia, many other underprivileged individuals, including Shohid Mia and Shafiqul Mia, received vital eye care services through this program.
As part of the initiative, local publicity and miking were conducted in rural areas to inform residents about the free eye camp. Later, an eye care camp was jointly organized by BEHRI and Ma Amena Gafur Charitable Hospital in Kasba, where specialist doctors examined patients and selected candidates for surgery.
Following the initial screening on July 7, 36 selected patients were brought to Dhaka on July 29. BEHRI assumed complete responsibility for their necessary diagnostic tests, surgeries, medicines, food, accommodation, and all other medical costs. The following day, on July 30, cataract surgeries for 30 patients and pterygium surgeries for 6 patients were performed under the supervision of expert ophthalmologists.
Masudur Rahman, Assistant Manager (HR & Admin) of BEHRI, shared that the hospital has been consistently conducting free eye care programs for poor and helpless people since its inception. A similar drive was recently implemented in Cumilla, and such humanitarian initiatives will continue across different parts of the country in the future.
He added that priority was given to elderly patients requiring surgery, while those not needing an operation were provided with primary treatment and necessary medical advice. Every phase of the patients' journey—tests, surgery, medicine, food, and lodging—was ensured completely free of charge.
