Around 5,000 underprivileged people received free eye treatment at a daylong eye camp in Bogura on Friday.

The initiative was taken by noted cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman, vice president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and wife of the prime minister, while Al-Basar International Foundation organised the programme with support from the Ziaur Rahman Foundation.

The camp was held at the Bogura Poura High School and College ground from morning until afternoon, providing free eye examinations, medical consultations and necessary healthcare services to women, men and children from different parts of the district.

According to doctors’ advice, patients were provided with necessary medicines and eyeglasses free of cost. Cataract patients were also identified and arrangements were made for free surgery where necessary.

Of the patients, 500 have been selected for free cataract surgery, including lenses, at the 250-bed Mohammad Ali Hospital in Bogura.

BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council member and former MP Mohammad Helaluzzaman Talukdar Lalu, also vice president of the central committee of the Krishak Dal, visited the free eye treatment and surgery camp.

He toured the camp, talked to doctors and patients, and distributed medicines and eyeglasses among the beneficiaries.

Al-Basar International Foundation Country Director for Bangladesh Sector Dr Ahmed Taher Hamid Ali, BNP Central Committee member Ali Azgar Talukdar Hena, district BNP leader Fazlul Bari Talukdar Belal, Joint Secretary Sheikh Taha Uddin Nahin, Organising Secretary Shahid Ul Nabi Salam, Ziaur Rahman Foundation Bogura leaders Dr Shah Mohammad Shahjahan Ali, Dr Afsarul Habib Roz, Aminul Haque Dewan Sajal and Dr Yunus Ali, Alnur Eye Hospital Medical Officer Dr Abu Saeed, Al-Basar International Foundation Free Camping Manager Mohammad Obaiduzzaman, district Jubo Dal Organising Secretary Harunur Rashid Sujon and former convener of Gabtali upazila Jubo Dal Arifur Rahman Majnu, among others, were present.

The organisers said a large section of low-income people cannot afford timely eye treatment because of financial constraints. The initiative was taken to provide free treatment to people, particularly those suffering from cataracts and vision-related problems.

They said the programme was organised out of a humanitarian commitment to ensure that no one is deprived of necessary eye care because of financial hardship.