“Eyecare services are costly. General people can’t afford these. I am not only the Prime Minister, but also the daughter of the Father of the Nation. So, it’s my responsibility to ensure healthcare services for every national of the country. I’ve been trying to perform this responsibility as well,” she said.

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The Prime Minister was inaugurating the operation of community vision centres set up in 70 upazila health complexes of 20 districts under five divisions through a videoconference.

She joined the virtual inaugural ceremony, held at National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in the capital, from her official residence Ganobhaban.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has already taken a plan to set up 110 more community vision centres at the upazila level.

The Prime Minister said healthy people are needed to properly take the country forward. “Healthy people are required to build a healthy Bangladesh,” she added.

Mentioning that the government is providing free vitamin-A, different vaccines and medicines to people, she said, “We’ve been creating scopes so that people can stay healthy everywhere.”

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Later, the Prime Minister exchanged views with local people and stakeholders of three upazilas -- Pirganj of Rangpur, Nachol of Chapainawabganj and Haluaghat of Mymensingh-- through the videoconference.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque also spoke at the function conducted by Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus.

Health Secretary Abdul Mannan delivered the welcome speech, while Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology (NIO) Prof Dr Golam Mostafa described the NIO activities briefly.

Dr Golam Mostafa said the Prime Minister had earlier inaugurated the operation of community vision centres in 20 upazilas in 2018 entering Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Eye Hospital.

Dr Mostafa said there is a plan to set up 110 more community vision centres in the country by June, 2023.

Stating that the government has transformed the country into Digital Bangladesh, the Prime Minister mentioned that now it has become easy to avail of healthcare services as there has been marked development in telemedicine systems.

“Now people can avail themselves of the services from expert physicians through the telemedicine system staying at home. Now our Bangladesh is Digital Bangladesh. So, we’ve taken the digital services to the doorsteps of people,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the congenital (birth) blindness has almost removed from the country as the government provides treatment to pregnant mothers.

Now people get healthcare services and 30 free medicines from community clinics across the country, she said, adding that local people, particularly women, can easily avail themselves of the services and medicines from the clinics.

About Covid-19, Hasina called upon all to follow the health protection protocols, including wearing face masks, washing hands frequently to remain clean, and thus check the coronavirus.

She also urged people to get vaccinated in a disciplined manner after registration so that no chaos occurs in the Covid-19 vaccination centres as happened in the past.

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