Sightsavers Bangladesh is commemorating 50 years of work to protect sight and fight for disability rights.
Since 1973, Sightsavers and partners have performed more than two million cataract operations in Bangladesh, carried out 24 million eye examinations and supported 10,000 people with disabilities to claim their rights through inclusive education and vocational training.
The milestone also celebrates Sightsavers’ work to strengthen the country’s health care system by helping to train health professionals and community volunteers, as well as its partnerships with governments, local organisations and communities.
To mark the 50th anniversary, Sightsavers’ CEO Caroline Harper and staff from Bangladesh were joined by guests at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, including the Planning Minister MA Mannan MP and Social Welfare State Minister Md. Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru MP.
Sightsavers’ CEO Dr Caroline Harper said: “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to dedicated partners and staff members, and all those who have contributed to Sightsavers’ work in Bangladesh over the last 50 years.
“I am so proud of what has been achieved over the past five decades – so many lives have been transformed by the work to improve eye health and boost disability rights. We will continue to collaborate to bring about even more transformative change and an inclusive society for all.”
Watch the video below to find out more about our work in Bangladesh.
What are cataracts?
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in Bangladesh. Find out about the causes and common symptoms of cataracts, and how they can be treated.
Learn about cataractsRead all our latest news stories
News from Sightsavers
Sightsavers campaign ambassador inspires Netflix film about albinism
The film ‘Can You See Us?’ is based on the life of John Chiti, who is a Zambian albinism rights campaigner and Sightsavers’ ambassador for the African Disability Protocol campaign.
Sightsavers campaign sends message to world leaders at UN summit
The Promise in Peril campaign culminated at the SDG summit with a declaration reaffirming commitments to achieving the global goals that explicitly references disability rights.
Sightsavers-trained doctor appointed deputy minister of health in Sierra Leone
Dr Jalikatu Mustapha trained with Sightsavers between 2012 and 2016, becoming the only female ophthalmologist in the country.
Inspirational stories direct to your inbox
Inspirational stories direct to your inbox
Want to hear more from Sightsavers? Join more than 170,000 supporters who receive inspiring emails about life-changing projects and ways to support our work.
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in each email, or by contacting our Supporter Care team via [email protected]
For more information see our privacy policy
