Dhaka – The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has initiated a medical campaign aimed at treating tens of thousands of Bangladeshi schoolchildren suffering from eye diseases. This campaign is part of KSrelief’s ongoing efforts to provide ophthalmological interventions in Bangladesh, with volunteer doctors from Saudi Arabia offering their expertise to help restore or improve the eyesight of Bangladeshis. The Saudi Noor Volunteer Program, conducted in May, successfully reached more than 4,700 individuals.
Dr. Aqeel Al-Ghamdi, KSrelief’s assistant supervisor-general for planning and development, expressed the organization’s commitment to reducing blindness and visual impairments in Bangladesh. Speaking at the launch of the program in Dhaka, Dr. Al-Ghamdi stated, “Helping to reduce the rate of blindness and visual impairments in Bangladesh has been a top priority for the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center.”
The medical campaign will commence with the training of teachers, as they play a crucial role in identifying students in need of assistance. “The screening program will cover approximately 30,000 students across 50 schools in Dhaka. This morning, we visited one of the high schools and launched the program there. Over the next three days, they will screen around 1,000 students,” revealed Al-Ghamdi.
Under this initiative, KSrelief will provide glasses to students who require them, while those in need of further medical attention will be referred to doctors. The program aims to significantly improve the academic performance and overall quality of life for the students. Dr. Al-Ghamdi expressed his hopes for the students, saying, “It will change a lot for the students in their academic activity and in their life, actually. In this program, I hope the best for the students.”
During the event, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Al-Duhailan highlighted the extensive nature of the Saudi-Bangladesh relationship. “Our relationship is a multidimensional one. It’s not only concentrated in manpower and Hajj and Umrah visits, but it is more than this,” he emphasized to reporters.
KSrelief is renowned for providing humanitarian and development support to millions of beneficiaries in 94 countries. In Bangladesh alone, over 6 million individuals have received assistance from the center. Since 2015, KSrelief has successfully implemented 52 projects worth approximately $25 million in the country.
The launch of this medical campaign reinforces the commitment of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to supporting those in need and promoting a healthier future for the people of Bangladesh. Through their collaborative efforts, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh continue to strengthen their bilateral ties and contribute to the well-being of communities around the world.
