Nepal Eye Donation Association Extends Free Eye Treatment Services Abroad

Kathmandu. Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh has prioritized operating eye treatment services through free eye camps in foreign countries as well. The Sangh, which has been conducting camps through eye hospitals and treatment centers under its umbrella, especially in rural and impoverished areas of Nepal where access to eye treatment is limited, has also started conducting camps in foreign countries based on demand.

Such camps conducted by Nepali experts and health workers in foreign countries have been extremely effective. The Sangh has been focusing on establishing Nepal as a leading eye treatment and training center in South Asia, establishing it as an attractive destination for quality eye medical education and eye health tourism, and reducing blindness.

In this regard, a two-day free eye treatment camp was successfully concluded in Kampong Cham province of Cambodia with the technical cooperation of Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Center operated by Nepal Netrajyoti Sangh and the coordination of the Nepali Embassy in Thailand (including Cambodia). Through the camp, which was conducted for the first time at Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital on Asar 20 and 21, one thousand two Cambodian citizens received free eye examination and treatment services.

According to the Sangh's Executive Director Dr. Shailesh Kumar Mishra, among those who received services in the camp, 641 were women and 361 were men. He informed that 373 people were provided with free medicine, 407 people with spectacles, and 192 people with medicine and spectacles during the eye examination.

According to him, cataracts were identified in 93 people during the camp. They were referred to local hospitals for further treatment. The camp was jointly inaugurated by the Ambassador of Nepal to Cambodia, Dhan Bahadur Oli, and the Governor of Kampong Cham province, Un Chandha.

Collaboration for Experience Exchange

During the program, an agreement was reached to provide Cambodian doctors and health workers with opportunities for training and professional experience exchange at the Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Center.

A team of specialist doctors led by Chief Medical Director of Lumbini Eye Institute and Research Center (Shree Ran Ambika Shah Eye Hospital), Prof. Dr. Sushila Patel, provided eye examination, treatment, and specialist consultation services at the camp.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by the Sangh's General Secretary Bharat Bahadur Chand held discussions with the Ministry of Health of Cambodia, the Kampong Cham Provincial Government, and various stakeholders on eye health services, medical education, technical assistance, capacity building, and expansion of institutional partnership.

Discussions were held on expanding cooperation between Nepal and Cambodia in the fields of public health, eye health services, medical education, capacity building of health workers, and exchange of knowledge and experience. The Sangh stated that both sides expressed commitment to further strengthen institutional cooperation in the health sector.

Sangh General Secretary Chand expressed confidence that such international cooperation will further strengthen the relationship between Nepal and Cambodia and significantly contribute to the Sangh's long-term plan of establishing Nepal as an attractive destination for quality eye treatment, medical education, and eye health tourism.

Sangh Vice President and Chairman of Ran Ambika Shah Eye Hospital, Sagar Pratap Rana, said that such programs will be an effective means to expand Nepal's experience and expertise gained in the field of eye health services to the international level.

Similarly, Hospital Manager of Shree Ran Ambika Shah Eye Hospital, Prakash Rayamajhi, mentioned that the active support of the Nepali Embassy, local government, Kampong Cham Provincial Hospital, health workers, volunteers, and the local community was crucial for the successful completion of the camp.

The Sangh has stated that it is committed to contributing to the global reduction of blindness by sharing Nepal's achievements, expertise, and management experience in the field of eye health services with the international community.

The Sangh has stated that it will continue its campaign to establish Nepal as a leading eye treatment and training center in South Asia by promoting quality eye health services, medical education, research, and human resource development through such international cooperation programs.

According to the Sangh, since its establishment until the end of 2025, the Sangh has provided eye treatment services to a total of five crore two lakh 489 eye patients, including Nepali citizens and citizens of various other countries, through its network of 28 eye hospitals, 44 district branches, and 226 eye treatment centers, and 56 lakh 59 thousand 624 eye surgeries have been performed.