Bhaktapur, July 15

A retina treatment programme, ‘Retina Eye Care Nepal’ was launched at the Eye, Nose, Ear, Throat and Child Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in Manohara of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Bhaktapur today.

Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, Masahi Ogawa, inaugurated the service launched with the joint support of BP Eye Foundation and Japan International Cooperation Agency.

On the occasion, the Japanese ambassador spoke of the harmonious relations that exists between Nepal and Japan, and shared that the programme would help take the relations between the two countries to new heights.

BP Eye Foundation Chairman, Purna Chandra Karmacharya, said the programme would help provide eye care services at the community level.

Director of centre Dr Sanjeev Upadhaya said the programme would run for three years. The programme aims to facilitate general public’s access to retina treatment.

During the period, doctors will be trained to enhance their capability of treating retina-related diseases. The programme is being run with an investment of Rs 30.54 million in coordination with the Tokushima University and support from JICA.

In Nepal, 23 per cent of the total eye patients are suffering from various kinds of retinal disorders.