Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday inaugurated a five-day free eye treatment camp in Thakurgaon and assured that initiatives will be taken to organise such eye camps in every upazila across the country.

He said the government is working continuously to improve healthcare services in Thakurgaon, with the district hospital already upgraded from 250 beds to 600 beds.

Fakhrul, also BNP secretary general, said admission of students to Thakurgaon Medical College will begin from next year.

Thakurgaon Diabetic Association, with support from Nepal, organised the eye camp.

The minister said healthcare-focused development activities are being implemented as quickly as possible. “Initiatives will be taken to arrange such eye camps in every upazila, and efforts will also be made to ensure regular continuation of these programmes,” he added.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Nepal in Bangladesh Pratik Karki, Chairman of Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh (NNJS) Prof Dr Chet Raj Prant, Chairman of Biratnagar Eye Hospital Padma Narayan Chaudhury, Thakurgaon-3 MP Zahidur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Rafiqul Huq, Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain, District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, physicians and eminent personalities were present at the event.

During the five-day camp, underprivileged and low-income people from different parts of the district will receive free eye examinations, treatment and necessary medical advice. More than 3,000 patients have already registered.