INGO Forum and NIOH jointly observe World Sight Day 2026
Published: 09 October 2026, 8:16:51
Collected Photo
The INGO Forum on Eye Health in Bangladesh, in collaboration with the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital (NIOH), commemorated World Sight Day 2026 on Thursday (October 8) under the global theme “Love Your Eyes”, calling for enhanced public-private collaboration to ensure affordable and quality eye care for all.
The event was held at the Dr Durga P. Paudyal Conference Hall, CIRDAP, in the capital. It commenced with an awareness rally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Dr M. A. Muhit, MP, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare, followed by a detailed discussion on eye health accessibility and its social and economic impacts.
Addressing the discussion, Dr M. A. Muhit emphasized that vision is fundamental to learning, work, safe mobility, and active participation in society. He noted that many forms of visual impairment and blindness are preventable or treatable through timely intervention.
The State Minister stressed that expanding affordable eye care through stronger collaboration among government institutions, private healthcare providers, and development partners can protect and improve the sight of millions.
Amrita Rejina Rozario, Chair of the INGO Forum on Eye Health in Bangladesh and Country Director of Sightsavers Bangladesh, delivered the opening remarks. Citing the Nationwide Blindness Survey 2020, she revealed that 19 per cent of people aged 30 and over in Bangladesh experience some form of visual impairment.
She highlighted that vision loss negatively impacts education and social development in children, while limiting independence, mobility, productivity, and economic opportunities for adults. On behalf of the INGO Forum, she urged greater public investment and stronger GO-NGO partnerships to reach underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
Misha Mahjabeen, Managing Director of VisionSpring Bangladesh, delivered the keynote presentation on behalf of the INGO Forum on Eye Health. She emphasized the transformative power of accessible vision services and eyeglasses, stating that clear vision directly improves learning, livelihoods, safety, and independence. She reaffirmed the commitment to bringing vision screening and affordable glasses directly to marginalized communities.
Md. Mohsin, Joint Secretary of the Health Services Division under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, attended as a Special Guest and shared remarks on integrating eye health into broader health system strengthening efforts.
The discussion session was chaired by Dr Syeed Mehbub Ul Kadir, Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital (NIOH), who highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts to advance eye health services across Bangladesh.
Other special guests who spoke at the event included Dr Munir Ahmed, Country Chair of the Bangladesh Chapter of IAPB and Country Director of Orbis International; Prof. Md. Zinnu Rain (Newton), Secretary General of the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB); and Dr Md. Tauhidur Rahman, President of OSB.
The discussion was moderated by Dr Afsana Habib Sheuly, Programme Head at Helen Keller International.
World Sight Day, coordinated globally by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) on the second Thursday of October, falls on October 8 in 2026.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Co-Chair of the INGO Forum on Eye Health, AKM Badrul Huq, Senior Program Manager of The Fred Hollows Foundation, who reaffirmed the forum’s dedication to achieving universal access to eye health services alongside government partners.
