Protecting eye health requires not just treatment, but integrated awareness: Health Minister

He said that to reduce the risk of eye diseases, it will not do to think only about eye health; overall health risks, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, must also be considered in an integrated manner. Everyone must be regularly caring and aware about their own health.

He said these things while speaking as chief guest at a workshop titled ‘Validation and Finalization of the Multi-Sectoral Action Plan on Eye Health in Bangladesh’ at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday. A N M Moinul Islam, additional secretary of the Health Services Division, presided over it.

The health minister said that it is not possible for the government alone to ensure everyone's health protection; awareness must be increased at all levels for this. Due to diabetes, the risk of heart disease and stroke is increasing, along with damage to the eyes and kidneys. On the other hand, cataract surgery is also expensive for many. Therefore, along with disease prevention and early detection, he called on doctors to work unitedly to protect eye health.

Sakhawat Hossain further said that diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, eye and kidney diseases are closely interrelated. As a result, it is not possible to ensure people's overall health protection by considering these diseases in isolation and providing only separate treatments; integrated treatment and preventive initiatives are needed.