The New Nation - Internet Edition

Lafarge Surma Cement Limited organized an eye camp for the local community around its plant at Chhatak on 9th November. It was held in collaboration with Islamiya Eye Hospital.

A total of three hundred and sixty seven villagers reported at the day long camp. They included 227 women, 118 men and 22 children. Upon screening, the doctors detected eleven severe cases of cataract. Lafarge Surma Cement Limited will make necessary arrangements for their cataract operation.

Doctors conducting the camp opined that most of the people in the area suffered from dry eyes syndrome. This is curable provided periodic check ups are done, at least once a year, the doctors from the Islamiya Eye Hospital said.

Medicines including vitamins were provided free to the villagers who reported to the camp. The eye camp was inaugurated by an ageing villager, Asadder Ali from Noarai village, who himself regained proper vision after an operation arranged by the company two years ago. The cataract operation cured his severely impaired vision.

Speaking on the occasion he said the poor people in the remote villages can not afford to go to Dhaka or even Sylhet for treatment and as such the eye camp at their doorsteps bring them big relief. It may be mentioned that the company organized a similar camp in the area in 2005.

As part of its social responsibility, Lafarge Surma Cement Limited also conducts wide ranging community welfare activities that include general health-care services through its permanent clinic and satellite clinics around the villages, non-formal primary education programme for children and vocational skills development training for women. All these activities have already shown positive results in enhancing literacy, checking child and maternal mortality rate, improving sanitation and above all, empowering women through self income generation opportunities.