Eye surgery for 50 people in southern Bangladesh

Dear supporters,
On behalf of Friendship, I would like to start off by thanking every one of you for your generous contribution to and enthusiasm for our project. It is because of your unstinting support that we were able to implement and run successfully, an Eye Camp that changed the lives of 55 people living in disaster prone areas in southern Bangladesh.
With 62% of the land under water for almost half a year every year, the population density of Bangladesh is over 1,000 persons per sq. km. In the rural areas, there is, on average, a 1:60,000 ratio of patient: doctors and this worsens with the remoteness of the area.
The southern coastal belt region of Bangladesh is one that is almost completely deprived of basic infrastructure and healthcare services. This is an area where primary healthcare is not considered a basic right, but rather a privilege that cannot be accessed by 90% of the population. Additionally, most of the country’s eye-care facilities are based within the major cities, leaving these marginalized communities with no choice but to suffer from visual impairment.
About the camp
The Rongdhonu Friendship Hospital (RFH) ran an Eye Camp from the 13th to the 15th of May in Chalna in the Dacope Upazilla of the Khulna district in Southern Bangladesh. The camp was presided over by volunteer doctor- Dr Moinul Hoque from the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), who treated 50 patients for mature cataract and 5 for pterygium. Friendship’s Dr James Paul Sarker ensured the smooth operation of the camp which treated 24 women and 26 men for cataracts and 4 women and 1 man for pterygium.
Following their surgeries, the patients waited on the ships for a few hours for the doctors to assess whether the surgeries were successful and to deal with any complications. Thankfully, there were none, and the concerns of the patients were attended to and answers to any questions regarding follow-ups were provided. Patients had their bandages taken off before they disembarked, and dark glasses, medications and instructions for care were provided to them. They were also asked to return for follow-ups if required or if any complications arose.
The extreme poverty subsisting in the lives of these individuals make expensive and difficult to avail eye surgeries an unreachable dream. We heard these individuals relate stories of how dramatically the quality of their lives had fallen and of how they feel like they are constant burdens on theirs families who are struggling to even feed themselves. The smallest visual impairments affect entire families of these already marginalized communities. We heard stories from men who have provided for and sustained families of 6 and who now feel completely incapacitated and helpless being unable to see. Women who have shouldered the responsibilities of entire households were now at the mercy of their children, moving from one house to another. Your gift of vision did not aid just one or two individuals- it helped entire families, and on an optimistic note, entire communities!
The Friendship family is working towards helping the most underprivileged in Bangladesh- and you have become part of this family through your participation. We are truly honored and grateful to have you on-board.

Warm regards,

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