The first community eye care facility in Nepal’s Madhesh Province has been inaugurated. Developed by the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO), in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, the US$2.2 million hospital has capacity to treat up to 55,000 patients annually, providing affordable, accessible eye care to the local community.
Dr Sanduk Ruit delivering a speech at the hospital opening.
TIO Founder and Director Prof Sanduk Ruit said the hospital is “a dream come true” and “another landmark in our commitment to deliver sustainable high-quality eye care at the grassroot level”.
For The Fred Hollows Foundation the new hospital “marks a new chapter… having established a solid lasting relationship with TIO and local partners and communities in Nepal”, said CEO Ian Wishart.
“This Integrated people-centred eye care approach is at the heart of everything we do, and we look forward to protecting and restoring sight to those most in need in and around Nijgadh.”
Extraordinary Need
Currently, more than one million people in Nepal live with some form of vision loss, and women are two-thirds more likely than men to experience vision loss.
Madhesh Province has the second-highest prevalence of blindness in the country, yet 80% of vision loss is avoidable and can be treated through existing, highly cost-effective interventions.
Over the next five years, the hospital is expected to receive an estimated 274,000 eye patients from Madhesh Province and to assist three million people in Nepal and India.
It will focus on treating cataract, refractive error, diabetic retinopathy, and other eye diseases through advanced treatment options and comprehensive care. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and severe and moderate vision impairment in Nepal. Almost 67% of people are blind because of cataract.
Over the next five years, the hospital is expected to receive an estimated 274,000 eye patients from Madhesh Province and to assist three million people in Nepal and India
The first community eye care facility in Nepal’s Madhesh Province.
Four Floors Dedicated to Eye Care
The four-floor hospital spans 23,000 square feet; all dedicated to eye care. It is equipped with two operating theatres, laser rooms, outpatient and inpatient departments, a recovery ward, and an in-house pharmacy and optical store. Local experts from TIO will offer specialised eye care across 10 subspecialties, enhancing access to high-quality treatment in the Madhesh Province.
As the healthcare sector accounts for an estimated 4-5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the hospital will use renewable energy. Solar panels have been installed and efficient heating and air conditioning systems are in use.
“We know that climate change is leaving a devastating impact on our environment and the health of some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people. Climate change is resulting in increased trachoma infections, cataract cases and other eye conditions,” Mr Wishart said.
“We’re incredibly proud that this hospital has adopted clean energy principles,” he said.
The local and international delegations inspected the facility. Prof Ruit was accompanied by Mr Wishart, Surath Puri, Mayor of Nijgadh Municipality, Suridh Ghimire, Founder Member and Chairperson of the Nepal Eye Program, Mr Satish Kumar Singh, Chief Minister at Madhesh Province, Dr. Reeta Gurung, Chief Executive Officer at TIO, and other senior officials and health representatives.
