The Syed Nuruddin Ahmed Development Foundation (SNADF), in collaboration with the Glaucoma Research and Eye Hospital, recently conducted its first free eye camp to improve the sight of people living on the chars, in North West Bangladesh.

The SNADF was established in 2008 by Mr. Syed Nuruddin Ahmed, Managing Director of Maxwell Stamp Limited (MSL), as part of his Corporate Social Responsibility. The aim of the Foundation is to improve the lives of underprivileged women, children and youth, recognising that many people often lack access to specialised health care.

CLP were fortunate to be involved in the first of SNADF’s eye camps. The camp was held on 19 August 2014 at the Glaucoma Research and Eye Hospital in Dhaka; a project of the Bangladesh Eye Care Society.

CLP’s special service provider organisation PHD (Partners in Health and Development) selected CLP core participants; both current and from previous cohorts, who they thought would be suitable for the camp and worked closely with SNADF throughout the process.

Doctors performing an operation on a patient during the eye camp

In total, 20 women were chosen. Of these, it was decided that 14 required operations. Of the remaining six participants, two unfortunately had problems that had deteriorated too far for any treatment. The other four did not have problems that required an operation but did receive medication.

During the day, Maxwell Stamp PLC Chairman, Martyn Kebbell, along with members from MSL, including Mr. Syed Nuruddin Ahmed, visited the eye camp and met the patients who were receiving treatment. Depending on the success of this pilot eye camp, Mr Rashed Rahim,

Logistic Unit Manager of MSL, spoke of the Foundation’s hope to conduct further camps in the future.

CLP covered the transportation and food costs for all 20 participants, which totalled around Tk. 30,000 (£250). All other costs, relating to the operations, medication and glasses, were covered by the SNAD Foundation. Costs of an operation can start from Tk. 20,000 (£167) per person.

Mr. Syed Nuruddin Ahmed (far right) with Mr Martyn Kebbell,(right) talking to doctors during their visit to the eye camp

All participants received care completely free of charge.

There is limited and poor quality medical care available on the chars and the majority of char-dwellers would not have the financial resources to access care. As such, the work of the SNADF has been extremely important and has provided a valuable lifeline to these CLP participants.