Singaporean doctors treating eye patients. Photo: Orbis International

DHAKA, Feb 1, 2025 (BSS) - A team of five renowned ophthalmologists from 
Singapore has begun treating the patients who suffered eye injuries during 
the July uprising in the country. 

Today, the first day of their two-day visit, the doctors examined eyes of 
over a hundred patients at the National Institute of Ophthalmology Hospital 
(NIO&H) and Bangladesh Eye Hospital, said a press release of Orbis 
International, an international non-profit non-governmental organization 
(NGO) dedicated to saving sight worldwide. 

The ophthalmologists evaluated the treatment provided to the injured, so far, 
and suggested future treatment and rehabilitation protocols for the patients.

The second day on Sunday, they will see more patients at the two hospitals 
and leave Bangladesh on Sunday night.

The team includes Donald Tan, head of eye and cornea surgery at Mount 
Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Blanche Lim, clinical director of ophthalmology at 
National University Hospital, Ronald Yeoh, associate professor and retina 
surgeon at the Singapore National Eye Centre, Nicole Tan, senior consultant 
and retina specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, and Ruben Fu, 
consultant ophthalmologist at the Singapore National Eye Centre.

Dr. Ronald Yeoh expressed satisfaction with the treatment provided to the 
injured by the Ophthalmology Institute and Hospital. 

"The eye injuries suffered by hundreds of people [during the protests] put a 
huge strain on Bangladesh's healthcare institutions. But they [the eye 
hospitals] have managed the patients very efficiently and we have been 
impressed by the treatment they have provided," the press release quoting 
Yeaoh as saying. 

The Singaporean ophthalmologists have come to Bangladesh under a joint 
initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of 
Liberation War Affairs, BUET Amra92 Foundation, Bangladesh Eye Hospital, 
National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital and Orbis International.

This is the fourth team of ophthalmologists from abroad to treat eye injuries 
sustained during the July uprising. Earlier, a Chinese, a Nepalese and a 
French team had come to Bangladesh to treat them.

Professor Khair Ahmed Choudhury, director of the Institute of Ophthalmology 
and Hospital, said the Singaporean doctors will assess the treatment already 
given to the injured and decide what to do next. 

"If they (the patients) need further treatment, another team of doctors will 
come to provide the treatment. If a patient needs treatment abroad, they will 
also advise them," he said.

The Ophthalmology Institute and Hospital authorities said hundreds of 
patients who suffered eye injuries during the protests had received treatment 
at the hospital. 

Of these, more than 400 had suffered injuries to one eye and 55 to both eyes. 
Nine of the injured have been sent abroad for better treatment, it added.