State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhit said the government will invest $130 million over the next five years to improve eye health in the country and bring eye care services to people’s doorsteps.

The state minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion organised jointly by the INGO Forum and the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital (NIO&H) at the CIRDAP conference room in Dhaka on Thursday to mark World Sight Day 2026. NIO&H Director Dr Syeed Mehbub Ul Kadir chaired the event.

MA Muhit said the funds would be invested over the next five years to bring eye care services to people in every district and remote area of the country. The investment will be used to train eye care professionals, expand infrastructure and facilities for eye care services, and ensure necessary medical treatment.

He added that the government would undertake a nationwide initiative to provide 1 million free cataract surgeries and distribute 10 million pairs of spectacles. Around 20 million people would also be brought under primary eye care services.

The health state minister said school students across the country would also be covered by the programme. Initiatives have also been taken to provide students with eye examinations, necessary spectacles and other essential eye care services.

He added that bringing quality and accessible eye care services to people’s doorsteps is one of the government’s priorities. To this end, the coverage of eye health services will be expanded further.