Nearly 1,000 underprivileged people from the Bhashantek, Korail and Sat Tola slum areas received free eye examinations, medical consultations and other healthcare services at a daylong programme in the capital on Saturday.

Dr Zubaida Rahman, vice-president of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation, inaugurated the programme as chief guest.

BNP Standing Committee member and Executive Director of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Prof Farhad Halim Donar, Foundation Director (Programme) and orthopedic surgeon Prof Shah Mohammad Aman Ullah, Director (Programme) Engineer Md Mahbub Alam, Director (Programme) agriculturist Dr Khandaker Mahfuzul Haque Bachchu, Director Engineer AKM Zahirul Islam, lifetime member Rezaur Rahman Chowdhury Sumon, Dr Saeed Mehebub Kadir and Sohel Ahmed, along with doctors, officials and volunteers, attended the programme.

Women, men and children received free eye tests, treatment advice and necessary healthcare services.

Medicines and spectacles were provided based on doctors’ recommendations, while patients diagnosed with cataracts were identified and arrangements were made for free surgery where necessary.

Organisers said many low-income people cannot receive timely eye care because of financial constraints, particularly those suffering from cataracts and vision problems.

The initiative was organised to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent anyone from receiving necessary eye treatment, they said.

They added that the Ziaur Rahman Foundation would continue providing healthcare and other humanitarian services to underprivileged people as part of its public welfare activities.

Patients and local residents expressed gratitude to the organisers for arranging the free medical services.