Sightsavers is an international organization working to eliminate avoidable blindness and promote equality for disabled people. The organization targets the world’s most vulnerable populations to combat blindness and restore sight through specialist treatment and eye care. Additionally, Sightsavers provides education, counseling, and training for individuals who are irreversibly blind.
Through a grant awarded under Advancing Partners & Communities (APC), Sightsavers strengthens the capacity of health care workers to provide pediatric ophthalmological services. The project focuses on health system strengthening, particularly the human resources for child eye health and development of standard tools and pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Sightsavers trains community clinic health workers and nursing staff, enhances the knowledge and skills of the practicing pediatric ophthalmologists for improved service delivery, and orientates teachers in screening to increase referrals. The project works with the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) - Government of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jatya Andha Kalyan Somiti (BJAKS), and Sylhet M.A.G. Osmani Medical College & Hospital (SOMC).