KATHMANDU: Experts have said that despite increased access to eye care services in Nepal, the risk of blindness still persists. At the 30th Central Assembly of the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh held here today, they noted that although the rate of blindness has decreased somewhat, it still remains a public health concern.
They stated that the number of eye patients in Nepal has increased due to rising life expectancy, as well as the growing prevalence of hypertension and diabetes. They emphasized the need to expand access to eye care services, particularly in rural areas.
Participants also highlighted that Nepal’s eye care services are among the best in the world and said the country has the potential to become a “hub” for eye care services. According to the association, 3,378,042 people were examined in 2025 through hospitals, treatment centers, and various outreach programs, while 266,401 surgeries were performed.
Inaugurating the meeting, Deputy Speaker of the Koshi Provincial Assembly, Sirjana Danuwar, said that the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh is a trusted organization working in eye care services with support from all three tiers of government.
She urged the organization to expand its efforts further to reach rural and underprivileged communities. She added, “The three tiers of government should increase investment in eye care services. For this, the association should also expand its capacity.”
She also noted that in the last fiscal year, the provincial government provided equipment worth Rs 25 lakh to hospitals and treatment centers operated under the association and its outreach programs.
Resunga Municipality Mayor Khildhwaj Panthi said that the municipality has prioritized eye care services and that there has been no shortage of cataract and other treatments despite financial constraints.
Prof. Dr. Dev Narayan Sah also stated that although access to eye care services in Nepal has improved, the risk of blindness still remains. The annual report was presented by General Secretary Bharat Bahadur Chand at the program chaired by Association President Prof. Dr. Chetraj Panta.
Institutional General Secretary Honored
At the event, founding General Secretary Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Pokharel was conferred the Dr. Nanda Shrestha–Ambika Shrestha Netra Jyoti Social Honor for his significant contribution to the establishment, growth, and development of eye care services in Nepal.
The Netra Jyoti Special Honor was also presented to Resunga Municipality, Gorkha Municipality, Prof. Dr. Dev Narayan Sah, Prof. Dr. Raghunandan Byanju, Lions Club International Multiple District 325, Sanjay Khetan, Krishnahari Sapkota, and Japanese experts Prof. Dr. Takeshi Naito and Dr. Junsuke Akura.
Similarly, the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Shyam Kumar Pokharel, Chakra Bahadur Singh, Shyam Sundar Udas, Padmanarayan Chaudhary, Prof. Dr. Dil Bahadur Chhetri, Bamdev Khanal, Netramani Lamichhane, and Mayadevi Bajracharya.
Sankhuwasabha District Branch was honored as the best district branch of Netra Jyoti Sangh. Biratnagar Eye Hospital received the best eye hospital award, Kaligandaki Eye Treatment Center was named best eye treatment center, and Dr. Pushpa Giri received the Netra Jyoti Dr. Nicole Grasset Award.
Netra Jyoti honors were also presented to Bindusagar Rajbhandari, Shailendraman Singh, Kumar Prithu, Shalikram Gautam, Meena Rai, and Dev Bahadur Budhachhetri.
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