Saudi campaign provides free eye care to 5,000+ Bangladeshis

Saudi doctors perform 586 cataract surgeries as King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center initiative brings specialised treatment to disadvantaged BangladeshisMM Rahmatullah: More than 5,000 people from low-income communities in Rangpur have received free eye examinations, medical consultations, medicines and reading glasses under a Saudi-funded humanitarian medical campaign, offering much-needed relief to people who struggle to afford specialised eye care.The seven-day campaign, organised at Makka Eye Hospital in Rangpur, provided free eye care services to 5,014 patients and successfully conducted 586 cataract surgeries, according to the Al-Basar International Foundation, a Saudi-based non-governmental organisation working to improve eye health and restore vision among vulnerable communities. The initiative was funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the Al-Basar International Foundation, reflecting Saudi Arabia's humanitarian engagement in Bangladesh, particularly in areas where financial hardship prevents many people from accessing essential healthcare. Three volunteer Saudi doctors from KSrelief, working alongside medical professionals from the Rangpur hospital, carried out the procedures during the campaign. Speaking to Arab News on Sunday, Dr Ahmed Taher Hamid Ali, country director of the Al-Basar International Foundation, said a total of 5,014 patients had received free examinations, medical consultations, medicines and reading glasses, while 586 cataract operations had been completed successfully. “Eye problems, particularly cataracts and other age-related vision problems, remain a significant concern for many people in the Rangpur region,” he said. Rangpur, in northern Bangladesh, is home to many low-income households for whom the cost of specialised medical treatment can be a major barrier. Eye diseases that could be treated through timely medical intervention may leave patients struggling with everyday activities when diagnosis and surgery remain beyond their financial means. The campaign sought to address this challenge by bringing eye care services directly to disadvantaged communities, reducing the financial burden on patients and enabling hundreds of people with cataracts to regain their sight. Restoring vision can make a significant difference to people's lives, helping them return to work, carry out household responsibilities and live more independently. For families dependent on daily earnings, untreated eye problems can also affect their income and overall well-being. Dr Ali said the campaign was particularly important because many people in Rangpur Division could not easily afford specialised eye care. “By bringing essential eye care services directly to the community, the campaign helped people who might otherwise have gone without proper treatment,” he said. He added that the participation of Saudi volunteer doctors highlighted the importance of humanitarian cooperation and a shared commitment to providing essential healthcare to people in need. For beneficiaries, the programme offered relief not only from the financial burden of treatment but also from the uncertainty and difficulties associated with impaired vision. China Begum, a 55-year-old woman who underwent cataract surgery during the campaign, said she had been advised to have the operation long ago but could not afford the procedure and the necessary medicines. With support from the Saudi-funded initiative, she was finally able to receive treatment and have her eyesight restored. Expressing gratitude for Saudi Arabia's support, she said the treatment would help her resume her daily activities and take care of her family without depending as much on others. “I found the doctor very humble and cordial. He treated me like a mother,” she told Arab News. Describing her experience, she said the operation took around 30 minutes and was almost painless. Doctors also provided her with medicines and glasses without charge after the surgery. The experience illustrates how access to timely and affordable healthcare can transform the lives of people who have long been unable to seek treatment because of poverty. The campaign also highlights the importance of cooperation between humanitarian organisations and local medical institutions in reaching underserved communities. By combining international medical expertise with the facilities and personnel of a local hospital, the initiative delivered treatment to thousands of patients within a short period.For Bangladesh, where access to specialised healthcare remains a challenge for many disadvantaged households, such programmes can provide immediate relief while drawing attention to the need for affordable and accessible eye care.  The seven-day initiative in Rangpur has thus brought renewed hope to thousands of patients, including hundreds who underwent cataract surgery and can now look forward to improved vision and greater independence.