TDS Desk:

A team of five renowned ophthalmologists from Singapore has begun treating the patients who suffered eye injuries during the July uprising in Bangladesh and are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.

Saturday (1 February), the first day of the two-day mission of the team, the doctors examined eyes of over a hundred patients at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIO&H) and Bangladesh Eye Hospital. They assessed the treatment provided so far, and suggested future treatment and rehabilitation protocol for them.

On the second day, they will see more patients at the two health facilities before they leave Bangladesh.

The members of the team are Donald Tan, head of Eye and Cornea Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital; Blanche Lim, clinical director of Ophthalmology at National University Hospital; Ronald Yeoh, associate professor and retina surgeon at Singapore National Eye Centre; Nikolle Tan, senior consultant and retina specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, and Reuben Foo, consultant ophthalmologist at Singapore National Eye Centre.

The Singaporean ophthalmologists have come to Bangladesh under a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, BUET Amra92 Foundation, Bangladesh Eye Hospital, National Institute of Ophthalmology, and Orbis International.

National Institute of Ophthalmology Director Prof Khair Ahmed Choudhury said the Singaporean doctors would assess the treatment and determine the further intervention.

“If they [patients] require further intervention, another batch of doctors will come to offer it. If any patients need treatment abroad, they will suggest it,” he said.

This is the fourth mission of foreign ophthalmologists for the treatment of July movement victims. Earlier Chinese, Nepalese and French teams came to Bangladesh for their treatment.

According to National Institute of Ophthalmology, several hundreds of the patients who sustained eye injuries during the movement received treatment at the government-run tertiary hospital. Of them, over 400 suffered injuries in one eye and 55 in both eyes. Nine of the injured were sent abroad for advanced treatment.

Dr Ronald Yeoh expressed satisfaction with the treatment National Institute of Ophthalmology has so provided to the victims.

“Eye injuries of hundreds of people [during the movement] put huge pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare facilities. But they [eye care facilities] have managed the cases very efficiently and we’re impressed by the treatment they have offered,” he said.