Govt targets 10 lakh cataract surgeries, 1 crore glasses distribution by 2030

The government aims to conduct 10 lakh cataract surgeries and distribute 1 crore prescription glasses by 2030 under its National Eye Health Action Plan for 2026–30, State Minister for Health MA Muhit said.

The plan also targets providing expanded referral-based eye care to 2 crore people during the period.

The minister outlined the commitments in a recorded video aired at the World Eye Health Summit today (3 November).

The summit is being hosted by the government of Antigua and Barbuda in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and international development partners. Bangladesh is co-hosting the event.

Muhit said preventable blindness and vision impairment were not only humanitarian concerns but also had significant negative effects on society and the economy.

Healthy vision is essential for children’s physical and mental development, human resource development, higher national productivity and enabling citizens to fulfil their potential, he said.

Presenting Bangladesh’s position and five-year plan at the summit, the state minister said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had made eye health a national priority.

“Our national commitment is to ensure eye examinations for every citizen and build a Bangladesh free of preventable blindness,” Muhit said.

He said the national health system would continue working to prevent blindness and vision impairment, raise awareness and curb their spread.

The government would also work with national and international non-governmental organisations and development partners to ensure universal access to eye health services, he added.

Wishing the summit success, Muhit said the global effort to ensure clear vision for all could become a unique milestone in human history.