Awareness Raising Campaign on Eye Health Organized at Tripura Community Balia, Chandpur

On February 19, 2025, an Awareness Raising Campaign on Eye Health was conducted at Tripura Jaty Somaj Unnayan Songstha in Balia, Chandpur Sadar, Chandpur. This initiative was a collaborative effort by The Fred Hollows Foundation, Australia, and Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital, Chandpur, with support from the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s ANCP Program. Mr. Aminur Rahman, Senior Program Manager and Roksana Kamal, Program Officer of The Fred Hollows Foundation were present on the Awareness campaign. Mr. Karnaraj Tripura, President and Sree Hera Debabarman Tripura, social welfare secretary of Tripura Jaty Somaj Unnayan Sonshtja were present as guest on the occasion. Coordinator of Tripura Jati Somaj Unnayan Songstha Shamim Khan, Coordinator (program and Admin) of Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital facilitated the orientation program where Md. Alamin, Senior Assistant program officer the hospital and Mr. Tanvir Hossain, Coordinator of Tripura Jati Somaj Unnayan Songstha were conducted the training session during the awareness campaign session.

Objective of the Campaign:

The primary goal of the campaign was to enhance awareness about eye health among alternative partners and their communities. This aligns with the mission of Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital, which is to educate people about eye care and provide specialized treatment to ensure healthy vision.

Activities Conducted:

1. Community Engagement: 100 Local community members were educated on the importance of eye health, common eye diseases, and preventive measures.
2. Eye Screenings: Free eye examinations were provided for 135 villagers and community members to detect conditions like cataracts, refractive errors, and glaucoma.
3. Distribution of Educational Materials: Informative brochures and leaflets on eye care practices were distributed to attendees.
4. Referrals for Treatment: 09 Individuals diagnosed with eye conditions were referred to Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Impact of the Campaign:

While specific data from this campaign is pending, similar initiatives by Mazharul Haque BNSB Eye Hospital have yielded significant results. For instance, their Screening Eye Camps have provided outpatient services to over 1 thousands tripura patients and performed approximately 67 successful cataract surgeries.

These camps have been instrumental in reducing blindness by 43% and ensuring quality eye care for at least 75% of the rural population.

Collaborative Efforts:

The Fred Hollows Foundation has been a key partner in supporting these initiatives. Their collaboration has facilitated the expansion of eye care services, particularly in rural areas where access to such services is limited. The Foundation’s involvement underscores its commitment to preventing avoidable blindness and improving eye health globally.

Conclusion:

The Awareness Raising Campaign on Eye Health at Tripural Jaty Somaj Unnayan Songstha represents a significant step towards enhancing eye health awareness in Chandpur. Through collaborative efforts, such initiatives aim to reduce the prevalence of eye diseases and improve the quality of life for community members.