Bangladesh validates Multisectoral Action Plan for eye health

The Government of Bangladesh validated a Multisectoral Action Plan for Eye Health for the period 2027 to 2029 during a national workshop in Dhaka.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare leads the plan in cooperation with the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital. The initiative involves multiple government bodies, including the ministries of education, labour and employment, agriculture, industries, women and children affairs, and social welfare.

The plan treats eye health as a shared development priority rather than just a medical issue, noting that vision impairment affects education, employment, and social participation. The Fred Hollows Foundation started the Multisectoral National Platform on Eye Health with support from the United Nations Development Programme Bangladesh and Sightsavers. The new framework aims to integrate eye health into various national policies and services to improve access to equitable care.

Participants at the workshop discussed institutional roles and implementation milestones to ensure the roadmap is actionable over the next three years. Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, stated that the government aims to ensure everyone can access eye care through stronger collaboration. While the country has expanded eye care services, officials noted that preventable blindness remains a challenge that requires sustained investment and better health systems.