Biratnagar [Nepal], August 4 – Nepal’s Biratnagar eye hospital has examined more than 1,300 patients and performed 136 cataract surgeries during the first two days of a five-day free eye camp in Thakurgaon, Bangladesh as part of a cross-border humanitarian health initiative.
The camp which began on August 2 is jointly organized by the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) and Thakurgaon Diabetic Samity. Organizers expect to provide comprehensive eye care services to around 3,000 people by the end of the programme.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Bangladesh’s Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while Nepal’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Dhaka, Pratik Karki participated as the guest of honour.
Speaking at the event, NNJS President Prof. Dr Chetaraj Pant called for easier visa procedures and a direct air link between Biratnagar and Saidpur to improve Bangladeshi patients’ access to Nepal’s internationally recognized eye care services. He said the measures would support health tourism and deepen cooperation between Nepal and Bangladesh.
Karki said Nepal’s affordable, high-quality eye treatment is strengthening the country’s reputation as a medical tourism destination. He added that humanitarian programmes such as the eye camp reinforce long-standing people-to-people ties and health diplomacy between the two neighbours.
The camp is offering free eye examinations, medicines, diagnosis and cataract surgeries to patients from Thakurgaon and nearby districts. A 13-member Nepali medical team from Biratnagar Eye Hospital is providing the services.
According to NNJS, the initiative has served thousands of economically disadvantaged Bangladeshis since its launch in 2023. The organization said the growing number of Bangladeshi patients seeking treatment in Nepal reflects rising confidence in the country’s specialized eye care services and is expected to further boost cross-border medical tourism.
