From Expansion to Integration:
– Inauguration of the Expanded Savar Eye Center & Annual Eye Health Forum-
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the newly expanded Savar Eye Center
Last December, Heart to Heart Foundation successfully achieved key first-year milestones of the project
‘Strengthening Primary Eye Care through a People-Centered Integrated Approach in Dhaka District, Bangladesh(2025–2027),’
implemented with the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA).
These included the expansion ceremony of the Savar Eye Center, the official government accreditation of the eye center,
and the successful convening of the 2025 Annual Eye Health Forum.
These two events marked key achievements of the project’s first year,
serving as important milestones that go beyond simple facility expansion and the hosting of meetings,
and instead demonstrate how people-centered eye health services can function in practice and become institutionalized within the national health system.
[Inauguration of the Expanded Savar Eye Center and Official Government Accreditation for Quality Eye Health Services:]
For years, limited space at the Savar Eye Center made it difficult for community members to access eye care comfortably.
To address this, Heart to Heart Foundation relocated and expanded the center, creating a more functional and welcoming environment.
The expanded facility now includes two consultation rooms and a dedicated waiting area.
Importantly, it was relocated next to the NCD corner, allowing eye care services to connect more closely with diabetes and hypertension care.
This means community members can now receive more coordinated primary healthcare and eye health services in one place.
The inauguration ceremony, held on December 8, brought together key health leaders,
including senior officials from Bangladesh’s national eye health authority and district health system,
alongside Mr. Kim Ji-hoon, Country Director of the KOICA Bangladesh Office.
Their presence reflected the shared commitment to strengthening eye care within the public system.
[From Project to Public System : Official Accreditation and Government Integration]
During the ceremony, the Line Director of the NIO&H announced that the Savar Eye Center—together
with the Dhamrai Eye Center—had been officially accredited as government eye centers.
This brought the total number of government-recognized eye centers in Bangladesh from 200 to 202.
This announcement formally confirmed that the expanded Savar Eye Center is no longer operating solely as a project-supported facility,
but as an integral part of the national public health system.
[Ensuring Sustainability through Facility Handover to local government]
A facility handover agreement was also signed during the inauguration officially,
transferring the management and operational responsibility of the Savar Eye Center to the Savar Upazila Health Complex (UHC).
This step strengthened local ownership and accountability,
laying an institutional foundation for the sustainable delivery of community eye health services.
In recognition of these collaborative efforts, Savar UHC presented certificates of appreciation to KOICA and Heart to Heart Foundation,
reaffirming trust and partnership among all parties involved.
[What Changed in the 1st year]
Since the project began, the focus has been simple and clear: making people-centered eye care work in everyday community settings.
* At a glance in the first year:
● Capacity-building support provided to approximately 220 medical and health personnel in the community on eye health services
● Expansion of the Savar Eye Center and establishment of telemedicine-based systems at two Eye Centers
● Provision of eye health services to approximately 10,000 residents through two Eye Centers,
including referral-based ophthalmic surgeries at tertiary hospitals
● Establishment of an integrated health screening service system centered on 85 community clinics in Savar and Dhamrai
This outcome demonstrates that people-centered eye health services are effectively improving access to and utilization of healthcare services within the community.
Building on the officially accredited government eye centers in Savar and Dhamrai,
Heart to Heart Foundation will continue to provide ongoing support to further strengthen and expand people-centered,
integrated eye health services that address the overall health needs of community members.
[Discussing People-Centered Integrated Eye Health - Highlights from the 2025 Annual Eye Health Forum]
Group Photo of Key Participants at the 2025 Annual Eye Health Forum
Following the Eye Center expansion ceremony, Heart to Heart Foundation hosted the 2025 Annual Eye Health Forum on December 10.
Held under the theme “Beyond Eye Care – People-Centred Primary Eye Care Linked with NCD Services,”
the Forum provided a platform to discuss strategies for strengthening Eye Center–based primary eye care
and for the integrated expansion of eye health services within non-communicable disease (NCD) management systems.
The Forum was jointly organized in collaboration with international eye health NGOs, Orbis International and The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Participants shared institutional achievements and on-the-ground challenges,
engaging in in-depth discussions on approaches to integrating eye health services within the broader health system.
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the Head of the National Institute of Ophthalmology & Hospital (NIO&H),
officials from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and Upazila Health Complexes (UHCs),
as well as representatives from global and local NGOs,
and global pharmaceutical companies working in the fields of eye health and non-communicable diseases.
2025 Annual Eye Health Forum
The Potential of People-Centred Eye Health Expanded through Collaboration
Participants highly appreciated the Forum for providing an official platform to discuss the linkage
and integration of eye health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs),
and shared the view that the Forum should continue to evolve into a sustainable platform for ongoing collaboration.
They also reached a consensus on the importance of continued cooperation and solidarity among the government,
global and local NGOs, and the private sector toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Building on this Forum, participants agreed to explore concrete opportunities for future collaboration.
Moving Forward to the Next Stage of People-Centred Eye Health
Through its first-year implementation, Heart to Heart Foundation established the structural
and collaborative foundations necessary for people-centred eye health services to function within the local health system.
From the second year onward, the Foundation will focus on activating integrated services
that link primary eye care with non-communicable disease(NCD) management and on scaling these services across communities.
Heart to Heart Foundation will continue to share on-the-ground moments of change and impact.
We appreciate your continued interest and support as we move forward together.
Together for Better Vision!
<With the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA), Heart to Heart Foundation is implementing a project of Strengthening
the Primary Eye Health Project through Integrated People-Centered Approach in Dhaka District, Bangladesh, from 2025 to 2027. >
