NIOH appears blessings for eye patients despite bed crises

National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIOH) here provides modern eye treatment turning it into a godsend for poor eye patients even despite shortage of beds.

The eye hospital at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar offers outdoor treatment to around three thousand patients everyday as any type of complex eye surgery is done here even after many patients cannot get admission for bed crises.

The hospital comprises 250 beds with 128 free beds and 88 beds and 34 cabins payable. Patients have to pay Tk 875-1175 for per AC cabin and at and Tk 475-575 for per Non AC cabin.

The hospital’s emergency department is open for 24 hours and the specialist doctors provide treatment to outdoor patients from 8 am to 2:30 pm everyday without government holiday. Patients can take eye treatment for a ticket with Tk 10.

Director of the NIOH Dr. Khair Ahmed Chowdhury said the eye hospital is well known in the country and abroad for its latest medical equipment, specialist doctors and advanced medical services.

He said all kinds of eye treatment and operations are done in this hospital by buying a ticket of 10 Tk.

This hospital also has all modern equipment for treatment and various tests as medicines are provided free of cost to the patients from the hospital, he added.

Chowdhury said the work of increasing beds to 500 from 250 is going on. “We submitted a proposal the concerned ministry in this regard,” he said.

He also voiced cautionary that maximum punishment will be given if any evidence of corruption is found against anyone in the hospital.

Deputy Director of the hospital Dr. Halima Sultana Haque said about 3,000 patients comes to the hospital for treatment every day from different parts of the country.

“Among them, those who require operation, are given the scheduled date for the operation. The operation is performed on the scheduled day”, she said.

She also said cent percent tests are conducted at the hospital including X-ray, blood test, urine test, ECG, CT scan and ultra sonogram.

Administrative officer Rakibul Hasan Mishu said there are 12 operation theaters in the hospital as seven types of operations are performed here.

He said there are 9 departments in this hospital. These are Cataract, Cornea, Glaucoma, Retina, Oculoplastic, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Community Ophthalmology and Vision.

Cataract surgery is done by modern medical method phaco surgery. If the operation is conducted in the morning, patients can go home in the afternoon.

Every day about 60 patients undergo cataract surgery here. All treatment is provided free of charge by the hospital authorities. Medicines during surgery are also provided free of cost. Eye lenses are also being given free.

Most of the Ophthalmologists have MD, FCPS and higher degrees.

Some patients said that they get high quality treatment at the hospital as patients can avail all kinds of treatment by buying a ticket for 10 taka.

Patient Shaheen said after buying a ticket for 10 taka, his eye operation was done and lenses were also given without any extra money.

Monir Hossain came from Gazipur in the hospital for eye treatment. He said some medicines had to be bought from outside but most of the medicines were given by the hospital.

The hospital provides treatment for outdoor eye patients in eight rooms as it has separate rooms for elderly freedom fighters and autistics. (BSS)