Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated 45 more community vision centres at Upazila Health Complexes in 13 districts across the country, raising its number to 135, bringing one third grassroots people under modern eye treatment free of cost.
She opened the centres at a function at city's National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital joining virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence, reports BSS.
Of the newly opened community vision centres in the third phase, 20 were launched in Barishal division, 20 in Chattogram division, four in Rajshahi division and one in Khulna division.
The prime minister in the first and second phase had opened 90 community vision centres which has become role model in South Asia giving modern and developed eye treatment free of cost.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque and Health Services Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain Howlader spoke at the programme.
National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital Director Professor Dr Golam Mostafa briefly described activities of the community vision centres.
Local lawmakers, government officials and local elites from Char Fashion in Bhola, Amtali in Barguna, Pekua in Coxsbazar and Banshkhali in Chattogram were connected to the function.
The premier also exchanged views with mostly beneficiaries of the community vision centres.
A documentary on giving eye treatment free of cost from the community vision centres was also screened at the programme.
As many as 1,331,577 persons have so far received eye treatment from these centres while 210,868 persons have got eye glasses free of cost from those.