The country is gripped by the Covid-19 outbreak, and people have limited their movement outside due to the virus. Under these circumstances, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute in Gopalganj has been providing treatment to patients online, a sign of dedication.
Hundreds of thousands of people with eye problems from eight districts in the region, including Gopalganj, are being treated online by ophthalmologists of the hospital, at the Community Vision Centres.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the centres in 20 upazilas of eight districts, centring Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital and Training Institute on August 29 in 2018, according to hospital sources.
Every Vision Centre has a trained health worker who approaches ophthalmologists of the eye hospital by video conference and manages a prescription for patients suffering from eye problems.
Doctors also single out severe patients who need an operation by teleconference and the centre also helps patients with free medicine.
This correspondent spoke with some beneficiaries who were happy with the service.
Abdul Malek from Fakirhat upazila in Bagerhat, Hinatol Miah from Alfadanga upazila in Faridpur, and Eklash from Lohagora upazila in Narail said they are getting free treatment and medicine from the vision centres set up by the eye hospital.
The hospital has gained the trust of eye patients in this region. The doctors, nurses, and health workers are very cordial serving people in need, said 55-year-old eye patient Bellal Hossain from Borgunai village of Chitalmari upazila in Bagerhat.
Speaking on the matter, Rafiqul Islam, doctor at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital, said they were providing service to at least 600 to 700 patients everyday, online and offline.
Dr Saifuddin Ahemed, director of the hospital, said: "Despite the coronavirus outbreak, doctors, nurses, and health workers are at the hospital round the clock to provide service."
"We are happy to serve the patients mostly from vulnerable communities," he added.
