PP Capt. M. Shfi, RC Dhaka West
Rotary Club of Dhaka West embarked on a very significant Eye care Matching Grant project (MG # 65896) in collaboration with Islamia Eye Hospital as joint venture with financial assistance from Rotary District 3140 (Bombay,India), Rotary District 3280 (Bangladesh) and The Rotary Foundation.
Cataract of the eye is a common cause of blindness in Bangladesh, by and large among the poor rural community in particular. The situation is worsen due to fast population increase and malnutrition among low income group.
To encounter this serious misfortune, RC Dhaka West during the Rotary year 2007-08 under the leadership and untiring effort of PP Capt. M. Shafi made a start. To implement the project excellent co-operation was received from all members of the club particularly from Immediate PP Mubarak Ali. Past Presidents Aziz Ahmed, Dr Shahjahan Kabir, Rafiqul Islam, K. A. Taher, PP Dr. Tanvir, PP Dr. Zahid, Rtn Bir Bikram Major General Amin Ahmed and Rtn Zahedur Rahman who were his constant companion in this humanitarian endeavour. President GM Choudhury was the main catalyst.
The motivated eye care project was carried out with active participation of RC Jamalpur under the leadership of its President Alhaj Abdul Matin and teamwork of Islamia Eye Hospital, Dhaka & Jamalpur. This was possible with generous fund provided through Matching Grant undertaking with Rotary Districts 3140 & 3280.
This humanitarian project involved cataract removal and IOL implant for a targeted 323 patients from remote rural areas to save them from possible blindness during the period June, 2008 to April, 2009. The total cost of the project Taka 7,30,500 was made available as indicated earlier along with subsidized rate of hospitalization/operation by IEH. It is expected that other Clubs and TRF will replicate the project in future to create a big impact to curb the menace.
RC's Dhaka West & Jamalpur conducted 10 screening camps at Agtarail (Tangail), Jamalpur, Madanganj (Narayanganj ), Lalbagh, Uttara. Madarganj & Dewanganj in Jamalpur, with Doctors and para-medics from IEH. They examined nearly 1,500 patients and selected about 850 with cataract.
RC Dhaka West would like to put on record their deep appreciation for the dedicated services of Prof. Khan A. Manzoor & other Doctors and para-medics Dilwar Hossain & others and Mr. Mainul Hasan, Mr. Abdur Razzak, Matron Momota of IEH. Last but not least, Mrs. Zahida Ispahani whose untiring assistance and devotion contributed largely towards the success of the project. RC Dhaka West is grateful to her.
Club is also obligated to Past Rotary International Director Sushil Gupta for his initial impetus for the MG project. Club also remembers with gratitude the encouragement received from Immediate Past DG Rafiq Siddique and District Governor Prof. M. Hafizullah.
