Experts highlight potential to develop Nepal as a global hub for eye care
Kathmandu: Experts have stated that although access to eye care services in Nepal has increased, the risk of blindness still persists. Speaking at the 30th central assembly of the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh held today, they noted that while the rate of blindness has somewhat declined, the overall numerical risk remains.
They pointed out that the number of eye patients has risen due to increased life expectancy as well as the prevalence of conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and emphasized the need to expand access to eye care services in rural areas.
Participants in the assembly remarked that Nepal’s eye care services are among the best in the world and highlighted the country’s potential to become a hub for eye care. In 2025, a total of 3,378,042 people were examined and 266,401 surgeries were performed through hospitals, treatment centers, and various outreach programs under the association.
Inaugurating the event, Deputy Speaker of the Koshi Provincial Assembly Sirjana Danuwar said that Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh is a trusted organization for eye care services at all three levels of government. She urged the organization to expand its efforts to reach rural and economically disadvantaged populations. “The three-tier government should increase investment in eye treatment services. For this, the association should also expand its capacity,” she said.
She also informed that in the last fiscal year, the provincial government had provided materials worth Rs 25 to hospitals and treatment centers operated under the association, along with various outreach programs.
Resunga Municipality Mayor Khildhwaj Panthi stated that the municipality has prioritized eye care services and ensured that there is no shortage of cataract and other treatments due to financial constraints. Prof. Dr. Devnarayan Sah reiterated that despite increased access, the risk of blindness remains.
The annual report was presented by General Secretary Bharat Bahadur Chand during the program chaired by Association President Prof. Dr. Chetraj Pant.
During the event, the Dr. Nanda Shrestha Ambika Shrestha Netrajyoti Social Honor was awarded to the association’s founding General Secretary, Prof. Dr. Ram Prasad Pokharel, in recognition of his significant contribution to the development of eye care services in Nepal.
Netrajyoti Special Honors were presented to Resunga and Gorkha Municipalities, Prof. Dr. Devnarayan Sah, Prof. Dr. Raghunandan Byanju, Lions Club International Multiple Council 325, Sanjay Khetan, Krishnahari Sapkota, and Japanese citizens Prof. Dr. Takeshi Naito and Dr. Junsuke Akura.
Similarly, Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred on Shyam Kumar Pokharel, Chakra Bahadur Singh, Shyam Sundar Udas, Padmanarayan Chaudhary, Prof. Dr. Dil Bahadur Chhetri, Bamdev Khanal, Netramani Lamichhane, and Mayadevi Bajracharya.
Netrajyoti Best District Branch Award was given to Sankhuwasabha, Best Eye Hospital to Biratnagar Eye Hospital, Best Eye Treatment Center to Kaligandaki Eye Treatment Center, and the Netrajyoti Dr. Nicole Grasset Award to Dr. Pushpa Giri.
Netrajyoti Awards were also presented to Bindusagar Rajbhandari, Shailendraman Singh, Kumar Prithu, Shalikram Gautam, Meena Rai, and Dev Bahadur Budhachhetri.