Vision for All Eye Health Awareness & Screening in Underserved Communities

 

JSS Bangladesh

JANASEBA SANGSAD SOCIETY
An NGO working for health, education, and rural development in Bangladesh, with special focus on marginalized populations in hard-to-reach areas.

 

Background & Justification

Visual impairment is a significant yet preventable public health issue in Bangladesh.
According to WHO estimates:

• 80% of vision impairment cases are preventable or curable.
• Rural and hill tract areas face severe shortages of eye care professionals and facilities.
• Lack of awareness about eye hygiene, nutrition, refractive errors, and cataract treatment leads to unnecessary blindness.

Problem in Target Area:

• High rates of cataract and refractive errors.
• Low awareness about eye care.
• Limited access to affordable screening and treatment.

Rationale for Projector-Based Outreach:
Conventional health messages often fail to engage communities. Using portable projectors allows for interactive visual presentations in marketplaces, schools, community centers, and even outdoor gatherings—making eye health education more impactful and memorable.

 

Goal & Objectives

Overall Goal:
To reduce preventable blindness and improve eye health awareness among underserved rural and hill tract communities.

Specific Objectives:

1. Awareness: Educate at least 10,000 people on eye health, hygiene, and prevention through projector-based sessions.
2. Screening: Conduct free eye screening for at least 3,000 individuals in the target areas.
3. Referral & Treatment: Refer patients with cataract, refractive error, or other serious conditions to partner eye hospitals/clinics.
4. Capacity Building: Train local volunteers and health workers in basic eye screening and awareness delivery.

 

Target Area & Beneficiaries

• Geographic Focus: Hill tract districts (Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari) and other remote rural unions.
• Primary Beneficiaries:
• Children (school-going)
• Elderly persons (50+)
• Low-income rural families
• Estimated Direct Reach: 13,000 people (awareness + screening)
• Estimated Indirect Reach: 25,000 (via community information sharing)

 

Project Activities

1. Preparation Phase
• Develop culturally relevant visual content (videos, animations, infographics) on eye health in local languages.
• Procure portable projector, screen, battery/solar power backup.
2. Awareness Sessions
• Community gatherings, school programs, market day campaigns.
• Interactive Q&A and myth-busting on eye health.
3. Eye Screening Camps
• Basic vision tests, near/far vision checks.
• Immediate advice, spectacles distribution (if available).
4. Referral System
• Link with partner hospitals for cataract surgeries and further treatment.
5. Training Workshops
• Train local health workers and volunteers on basic eye care and awareness delivery.
6. Monitoring & Evaluation
• Pre/post surveys on awareness levels.
• Data on screening results, referrals, and treatments completed.

 JANASEBA SANGSAD SOCIETY