The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

One year ago, Singapore Airlines initiated the idea of a community project to help the needy people with vision disabilities. Vision disabilities are common in Bangladesh affecting the young and old.

Bangladesh has the highest number of blind people compared to its population. There are 750,000 adults and 40,000 blind children, with cataract accounting for 80 per cent of the blindness.

Without proper vision, not only will it hamper a person's ability to have gainful employment, it will certainly impact on his quality of life. Further, he will also be a burden to his family members who have to give him full support.

Most cases of blindness are treatable but due to poverty, they are unable to seek treatment. The major challenge in eliminating blindness in Bangladesh is reaching the rural population as they are the ones who need help while most of the medical facilities are available only in major cities.

To progress this community project, Singapore Airlines is pleased to receive support from the following partners:

-Bangladesh Eye Hospital--Dr Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury, Consultant Phaco Surgeon and Chairman of the hospital

-Alcon Bangladesh--Mr Khondaker M AI-Mamoon, Country Manager

-National Healthcare Group (Singapore)--National University Hospital (Singapore)-Dr.Gement Tan (Consultant Eye Surgeon & Team leader )--Dr Niaz Sharif, MD (MRO) and Steven Mok, Manager, National Healthcare Group Inetrnational

- Asiatic Marketing Communications Ltd--Aly Zaker, MD and CEO

-Popular Ophthalmics -Dr. Mostafizur Rahman, MD

A team of three specialist eye surgeons and a nurse from the National University Hospital of Singapore will be in Dhaka to conduct treatment and surgery on needy patients in a village hospital in Bhoirab, managed by the Bangladesh Eye Hospital, from March 7-8. Specialist surgeons including Dr Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury and Dr Niaz Rahman from Bangladesh Eye Hospital will be performing operations together with the Singapore team.

During the two-day event, the Bangladesh and Singapore specialists will conduct surgery on about 50 patients using equipment provided by the Bangladesh Eye Hospital and Alcon.

The National Health Group (Singapore) will hold a medical seminar for post graduate students and doctors in ophthalmology today (Saturday).

This will provide a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and enable the Singapore specialists to answer any questions from local students and doctors.

The Singapore Airlines authorities thanked the Health Secretary for giving approval for the Singapore team to conduct operations in Bangladesh and to help the needy people.

With the support from local partners, Ministry of Health and the National Healthcare Group (Singapore), Singapore Airlines has expressed the hope of continuing this community project in the coming years.