We work with the Bangladesh government and partners across South Asia to provide inclusive eye health services and help ensure everyone can reach their potential.
Sightsavers in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries and home to the largest river delta, along which many people in Bangladesh live.
Under the country’s constitution, all citizens have a right to health care, with the government aiming to provide universal health care by 2030. Yet many people struggle to access vital eye care services, particularly if they live in rural areas.
While Bangladesh has the second-largest economy in South Asia, there are still high levels of poverty and social inequality. Extreme poverty and a lack of awareness about eye conditions mean that many people in Bangladesh have sight loss that could be treated or prevented.
Sightsavers helps improve access to eye health services for everyone and runs inclusive programmes for people with disabilities to ensure they have equal access to health care, education and employment opportunities.
In August 2023, Sightsavers Bangladesh celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Facts about Bangladesh
- Population: 167 million
- Capital: Dhaka
- Official language: Bangla
- Human development index (HDI) ranking: 129 (medium)
650,000 adults over 30 years old are estimated to be blind
20.5% of people live below the poverty line
8% of the population is thought to have a disability
Sources: British Journal of Ophthalmology,
Asian Development Bank, Disability Data Portal
A landscape of fields.
What are the challenges in Bangladesh, and how can these be addressed?
Eye care
Bangladesh has one of the highest rates of untreated cataracts in the world.
Many people in Bangladesh are unable to access vital eye care because they live in rural areas. Sightsavers has been carrying out charity work in the country for more than 50 years, helping to strengthen and establish inclusive eye health services.
Inclusion and equality
Not everyone in Bangladesh can claim their rights.
People with disabilities are often excluded from society, with women and girls facing additional barriers. Our charity work on disability rights in Bangladesh focuses on improving everyone’s access to health care, education and employment.
A young man sitting in the driver seat of a van.
“I didn’t understand as a child, but now I understand what a gift sight is. You cannot ignore the eyes, because eyes are priceless.”
Arif, from Dhaka, who had two cataract operations as a child
How you can help
Our charity work in Bangladesh is helping to make society more inclusive, but there’s still more to do.
With your support, we want to strengthen the nation’s eye care services and ensure everyone can access education and employment opportunities that enable them to reach their potential. To do this, we need your help.
Charity donations, legacies, corporate partnerships and gifts from charitable foundations are a vital source of funding for our programmes in Bangladesh. We also welcome opportunities to work in partnership with governments, institutions and development organisations.
Contact us: If you have any questions about our work in Bangladesh, would like more details about our programmes or find out how you can donate or support us, email ask-bangladesh@sightsavers.org
Latest stories from Bangladesh
The impact of inclusion: meet the changemakers
Learn how our disability-inclusive projects are helping to create a better world for everyone by supporting people like Sadah, Eunice and Shihab.
Sightsavers Bangladesh marks 50-year anniversary
Sightsavers began working in Bangladesh in 1973 to diagnose and treat people for cataracts, which is one of the most common eye conditions in the country.
August 2023
“Now I know what a gift sight is”
Arif’s life changed when he had two cataract operations at five years old. We've been following his journey since then, from completing his education to finding work as a driver.
It started with a tuk-tuk: Shamima’s story
Shamima, who has hearing and speech impairments, was able to access vital treatment after her sister heard about Sightsavers’ free eye camps.
“Now we can get the help we need”
In Pakistan and Bangladesh, the Right to Health project worked with transgender communities to remove the barriers they face when accessing inclusive eye health services.
“Every day is women’s day when you cherish women’s dignity”
Asma is project manager for Sightsavers’ inclusive eye health project in Bangladesh, which is breaking down the barriers women face when accessing eye care services.
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